The recent ambassadorial nomination of Opunimi Akinkugbe by President Buhari is causing tension in the political space.
This is because Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, an indigene of Abonnema local government area of Rivers State was listed as an ambassadorial nominee under Ondo State where her husband, Yinka Akinkugbe hails from.
A renowned financial columnist and author, Akinkugbe boasts of over 23 years of experience in the banking sector having worked at Stanbic IBTC, Barclays Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank where she is currently a non-executive director.
In their reaction, the State Chairman of the Ondo Youth Coalition, Ademario Emmanuel and the President of the Yoruba Anifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria, Eric Oluwole condemned the announcement; labelling it an insult.
They claim she is not an Ondo indigene and there are more than enough indigenes capable of filling up the position.
Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react the news with many supporting her nomination.
Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, married to an Ondo man and recently nominated as an Ambassador. Some persons are opposed to her nomination because ‘she is not an indigene of Ondo State but that of Rivers.’
Me: She’s qualified to represent Ondo.#IstandwithNimiAkinkugbe pic.twitter.com/qhkohANZjs— OLAWOYIN Edris Busayo,anipr (@Olawoyin4u) July 2, 2020
It’s actually a good thing to oppose Nimi Akinkugbe’s appointment based on her not being from Ondo state
Her appointment is legal, but we must use this opportunity to dismantle and challenge the absurdly misogynist law saying a married woman is from her husband’s state of origin
— Sugabelly ? (@sugabelly) July 2, 2020
Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, married to an Ondo man and recently nominated as an Ambassador. Some persons are opposed to her normination because ‘she is not an indigene of Ondo State but that of Rivers.’ We discriminate against a Nigerian woman married to a Nigerian man? What a shame!
— kkubani (@kkubani1) July 2, 2020
“Controversy” ?
Nigerians are so tribalistic to the extent they’ll deny their own wives rights & opportunity to benefit or answer their husband’s name.If Nimi Akinkugbe “is married to Yinka Akinkugbe from Ondo State and they are blessed with three children”, where’s she from?
— World Of Ideas ?️ (@world_of_ideas) July 2, 2020
Until we blur tribal lines, we will continue as a fragmented nation. That being said, if Nimi Akinkugbe is representing you should be throwing a damn party if you are wise…anyways, at the other side of wisdom is foolishness and a lot are much comfortable there.
— BEZ (@BEZidakula) July 2, 2020