The Nigerian House of Representatives has petitioned the Canadian government to take action against a Nigerian woman residing in Canada, Amaka Patience Sunberger, who allegedly incited violence and called for the mass poisoning of Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups.
The petition, 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, was addressed to the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, His Excellency James Christoff. The lawmakers expressed deep concern over Ms. Sunberger’s recorded statements, which advocate for the genocide of Yoruba and Edo people through the poisoning of food and water supplies.
Details of the Petition
According to the petition, Ms. Sunberger’s statements pose a severe threat to millions of Nigerians and violate several international, Canadian, and Ontario laws. The representatives noted that such rhetoric is not only dangerous but has the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora community.
Violation of Laws Cited
The petition highlights specific legal breaches, including:
International Laws: Ms. Sunberger’s actions contravene Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits advocacy of racial hatred, and Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which mandates state parties to combat the dissemination of racially motivated hate speech.
Canadian Federal Laws: Her statements violate several sections of the Canadian Criminal Code, including Section 318 (1) for the promotion of genocide, Section 319 (1) and (2) for public incitement and willful promotion of hatred, and Section 264.1 for making threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Ontario Laws: The petition also cites breaches of the Ontario Human Rights Code, particularly Sections 1 and 13 (1), which protect against discrimination and harassment based on race and ethnicity.
Actions Requested
The Nigerian representatives have requested the Canadian government to:
Investigate, prosecute, publicly condemn and collaborate with Nigerian Authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence and ensure accountability.
The House of Representatives expects Canadian authorities to address this matter promptly to prevent any further threats to public safety.
The incident has sparked outrage within the Nigerian community, with Abike Dabiri, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), confirming on social media that Ms. Sunberger’s TikTok account has been deleted and that Nigerian groups in Canada are formally reporting her to Canadian authorities.
