Taraba, Nigeria – Former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina, now a contestant in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, has appealed to the public for their support amidst a controversy regarding her citizenship. Last week, the pageant confirmed that the 23-year-old, whose father is Nigerian, has advanced as a Top 25 finalist in the competition.
However, Chidimma has faced backlash following allegations that her Mozambican mother committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth. Despite the controversy, Chidimma remains focused on the competition, representing Taraba State. In a video posted on the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant’s official channels, she urged the public to vote for her, highlighting her desire to use her platform to promote inclusion, acceptance, and the power of diversity.
According to reports, Chidimma is currently leading the vote count, surpassing the previous fan favorite, Edeifo Aikhuele. The competition rules state that the top three contestants with the highest votes will be fast-tracked into the Top 10.
Miss Universe Nigeria Pageant Owner Defends Chidimma
Guy Murray-Bruce, the owner of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, defended Chidimma during an interview with Arise News TV. He asserted that Chidimma has been unfairly targeted due to her Nigerian heritage, accusing South Africans of victimizing her. Murray-Bruce suggested that her promising performance in the Miss South Africa pageant was sabotaged due to her Nigerian roots.
He emphasized that Chidimma holds a Nigerian passport and is fully entitled to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria competition. Murray-Bruce also rejected any notion of xenophobia in Nigeria, asserting that the country does not practice such discrimination.
