Ms Amaka Sunnberger
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has filed a petition with the Canadian High Commissioner in Abuja, urging immediate action against Ms Amaka Sunnberger, a Canada-based Nigerian woman.
Periscope International recalls that Sunnberger had in a viral video allegedly called on Ndigbo to develop a heart of wickedness and begin poisoning the food and water supplies to Yoruba and Edo people.
Ms Sunnberger’s alarming statements inciting violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including calls for their mass genocide through the poisoning of food and water supplies, has elicited widespread reactions globally.
The Green Chamber’s petition, is addressed to James Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, was jointly signed by Rep Biodun Omoleye, Chairman of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Rep Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Matters.
The lawmakers expressed their deep concern over the gravity of Sunnberger’s statements, noting that her rhetoric not only endangers lives but also violates multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws.
The petition highlights Canada’s strong bilateral relationship with Nigeria, which is founded on mutual respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In their letter, the Nigerian representatives detailed the threats posed by Sunnberger’s statements, which have the potential to incite real-world violence both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora.
“Her incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning are not only deeply troubling but also represent a clear violation of multiple laws,” the petition stated.
The express the hope that Canada will uphold these values by ensuring that Ms Sunnberger faces justice for her dangerous rhetoric.
The lawmakers have requested the Canadian government to take the following four specific actions:
1 Initiate a thorough investigation into Sunnberger’s actions.
2 Prosecute her under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.
3 Publicly denounce her statements.
4 Collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence.
Earlier on Wednesday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), had released a photo of the woman via X.
“This is the picture of the lady behind the voice, Amaka Patience Sunnberger.
“She has deleted her TikTok account and a group of Nigerians in Canada are reporting her officially to the relevant authorities in Canada.
“Thanks for alerting everyone,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the umbrella body of the Igbo ethnic group worldwide has disowned the woman who posted the controversial video.
Dr Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, made this known in a statement issued in Enugu.
Ogbonnia claimed that there was insufficient evidence to identify the woman as Igbo, emphasising that her actions do not reflect the Igbo values of thoughtfulness, discretion, self-restraint, and stability.
He said: “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide was drawn to a video circulating on social media under the username “@Anyi_anambra on TikTok”, in which the individual calls on the Igbo people to poison the foods of Yoruba and Benin individuals.
“The woman reportedly encouraged others to engage in such acts, stating that “Ndigbo should develop a heart of wickedness and begin poisoning Yoruba and Edo.”
“Ohanaeze initially considered dismissing the video as the work of a disturbed individual or one of the many fictitious narratives often twisted, dressed up, and spread online to deceive the unsuspecting public,” he said.
