The road to the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria crown is getting rocky for Chidimma Adetshina, as a wave of South Africans have united online in a campaign to derail her chances of winning.
The goal? To ensure that Miss Kwara, another contestant in the competition, takes the crown instead.
Story Summary:
- A social media campaign is underway among South Africans to vote for Miss Kwara, undermining Chidimma Adetshina’s bid for the Miss Universe Nigeria title.
- The movement stems from unresolved tensions and a desire to sabotage Adetshina’s chance to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe.
- Despite the backlash, Adetshina remains focused and expresses excitement about her participation in the Nigerian pageant.
Mzansi pushes for Miss Kwara to win Miss Universe Nigeria pageant
The rivalry between Chidimma Adetshina and Miss Kwara has taken an unexpected turn, driven not by the contestants themselves, but by a growing faction of South Africans.
These online users have turned their support towards Miss Kwara, actively campaigning to boost her votes in a deliberate effort to prevent Adetshina from winning the crown.
The origins of this campaign are deeply rooted in the unresolved xenophobic tensions between South Africa and Nigeria, exacerbated by Adetshina’s recent controversies.
Once celebrated as a promising contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant, Adetshina found herself embroiled in a scandal that forced her to withdraw from the competition.
The fallout from her citizenship status investigation continues to cast a shadow over her current participation in Miss Universe Nigeria.
One South African social media user captured the sentiment driving the movement, stating:
“Before South Africans were voting for Chidimma to spite her and Nigerians. Now South Africans want to vote for Miss Kwara to spite the entire Miss Universe Nigeria pageant itself.”
This comment spotlights a shift in strategy—from targeting Adetshina directly to undermining the entire pageant she is now a part of.
The support for Miss Kwara has grown not only from this desire to sabotage Adetshina but also from the appeal of Miss Kwara herself.
Ufa Dania, Miss Kwara, has been praised for her resilience as the first plus-sized woman to compete in the pageant.
She has faced her own share of online harassment but remains steadfast in her belief that beauty pageants are a platform for empowerment.
“This is a chance for women to show their talents, beauty, intellect, and professional life,” Dania told reporters.
As the online campaign to propel Miss Kwara forward gains momentum, the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant itself has not been immune to criticism.
South African commenters have ridiculed the competition for its lacklustre production value, pointing out the poor decor and outfits that pale in comparison to the high standards Adetshina experienced during her Miss South Africa bid.
Many viewers noted that Adetshina’s unimpressed demeanour was evident, reflecting the stark contrast between the two pageants.
Despite the negativity surrounding her, Adetshina has not lost her focus.
In her first interview since the citizenship scandal broke, she shared her enthusiasm about competing in Nigeria.
“I feel good to be home,” Adetshina said in a Nigerian media interview, adding:
“From the moment I stepped into Nigeria, I felt the love, the support, the warmth.”
She expressed her appreciation for the country’s culture and cuisine, highlighting her connection to her father’s homeland.
What does Chidimma get if she wins Miss Universe Nigeria?
Should Chidimma Adetshina overcome these obstacles and win the Miss Universe Nigeria title, she stands to gain significant rewards.
The winner of the pageant will receive a cash prize of ₦10 million (approximately R250,000), along with other prizes that have yet to be announced.
More importantly, the crown would grant her the opportunity to represent Nigeria on the global stage at the Miss Universe pageant.
For Adetshina, this victory would be more than just a title; it would be a chance to reclaim her narrative and establish herself as a legitimate representative of Nigeria.
However, with the growing online campaign against her, the path to the crown is anything but straightforward.
