Former Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina has appealed to the public to support her progress in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant based on the controversy surrounding her citizenship.

 

Last week, the Nigerian pageant confirmed that the 23-year-old has been fast-tracked as a Top 25 finalist in the competition.

Chidimma – whose father is Nigerian – has come under fire after the department alleged that her Mozambican mother committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth.

CHIDIMMA: ‘WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME’
In a video posted on Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina appealed to the public to vote for her to make the Top 10.

She said, “I am representing nature’s gift to the nation, Taraba State. As a woman who has faced adversity, I want to use my voice and my story alongside the Miss Universe Nigeria platform to promote inclusion and acceptance.”

“I also want to educate people on the power of diversity to build a stronger community that benefits everyone.”

According to IOL, Chidimma is currently in the lead with votes, beating previous fan favourite Edeifo Aikhuele. According to the rules, the three contestants with the highest votes will be fast-tracked into the Top 10.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA (@missuniverseng)

MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA BOSS: ‘SHE IS A VICTIM’
Speaking to the Nigerian Arise News TV channel over the weekend, Miss Universe Nigeria pageant owner Guy Murray-Bruce alleged that South Africans had victimised Chidimma Adetshina based on her Nigerian heritage.

He said: “We’re trying to help someone who has been abandoned. No fault of hers. She is a victim because she has a Nigerian father and a South African mother.”

Murray-Bruce then alleged that Chidimma’s chances at Miss SA had been sabotaged.

Chidimma Adetshina leads Miss Universe Nigeria.
Chidimma Adetshina is already a favourite to win the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. Image via Instagram: @missuniverseng
“I don’t know if it was cooked up. It’s a bit twisted. She was doing so well in the pageant that they wanted to get her out. That’s how I see it,” he said.

Murray-Bruce added that Chidimma had a Nigerian passport and was entitled to participate in the competition.

“Her only crime was being half Nigerian, and that’s where the xenophobia comes in.”

“We don’t have xenophobia in Nigeria. We don’t practise that here.”

WILL YOU BE VOTING FOR CHIDIMMA?