Chidimma Adetshina’s travails seem far from over as a South African group has launched a petition to stop her from competing in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant.
It is to be recalled that the MISS Universe Nigeria arrived in Mexico on Wednesday for the pageant.
However, the group known as Progressive Forces is asking the organizers to cancel her entry.
The petition, launched on Wednesday, had garnered more than 800 signatures as of the time of this report.
“As Progressive Forces of South Africa, we are writing this letter on behalf of everyone who stands for justice to plead with you Miss Universe as an organisation to reconsider the contestant Miss Nigeria Universe and, if possible, to cancel her entry,” the petition read in part.
According to the group, Adetshina’s participation in the Miss Universe pageant could compromise its integrity.
“Miss Universe is a known brand of class, integrity, and fair competition. Miss Universe is known for granting a good platform to women from all walks of life to make a positive contribution to society while being the golden key to unlocking endless possibilities.
“We would hate to see the pageant losing its good image due to a contestant whose mother has been found guilty of stealing the identity of an innocent citizen.
“Not only did this contestant bring her own country into disrepute, but her participating in this iconic pageant would also bring Africa into disrepute,” the petition added.
This is coming amid reports that the Department of Home Affairs announced that Adetshina and her mother’s South African identity and travel documents would be revoked
According to several reports, the Home Affairs took this decision after they failed to justify the validity of their documents.
Adetshina is no stranger to petitions though.
In July, there was another petition calling for support for her candidacy in the Miss South Africa Pageant
A similar petition was also launched during her Miss SA contest participation asking her to be withdrawn from the competition.
Subsequently, she withdrew but would later enter and win the Miss Universe Nigeria title, representing her father’s native land.
