Nigerian-Irish politician Oluwayemi Yemi Adenuga has faced rejection from some Nigerians after accusing the Irish public of racism.
Adenuga, a former star of Gogglebox Ireland and a Fine Gael councillor, had called for stricter legislation and social media regulations following online racist abuse directed at her in Ireland.
Adenuga gained prominence on Virgin Media’s Gogglebox Ireland before being recruited by the Fine Gael political party.
Despite her previous excitement about the opportunity to represent the party, she was recently excluded from Fine Gael’s candidacy for the Meath West constituency in the upcoming Irish General Election. Councillor Linda Nelson Murray was selected in her place at a convention chaired by Deputy Simon Coveney at the Newgrange Hotel in Navan.
In a surprising turn, Adenuga has also faced criticism from some Nigerians who accuse her of hypocrisy. They claim she supports a corrupt government and rasicm in Nigeria while seeking political office in Ireland.
Many of her Nigerian critics have urged her to return home and support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, whom she had previously endorsed.
Adenuga had expressed gratitude to her supporters and asked for prayers ahead of the selection process, but her exclusion and the backlash have now placed her in a difficult political position.
NN News Media recalls that during the 2023 presidential election, many voters from the South East, predominantly Igbo, were prevented from voting in Lagos State. Supporters of Bola Tinubu reportedly told them to return to Igboland to cast their votes, leading to accusations of voter suppression.
Adenuga, who has accused the Irish of racism, is facing criticism for supporting Bola Tinubu’s rise to power, despite claims of racial discrimination against the Igbo people during the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.
