Problems are mounting for Nigeria's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, His Excellency Adebowale Adefuye.

The latest is the clamour for his recall over his highhandedness and recourse to personal vendetta against some of those whose interests he is supposed to be protecting in the USA.

“We are starting a petition to recall Ambassador Adefuye for several egregious acts, among which is directing law enforcement to arrest and detain a citizen of Nigeria,” one of those spearheading the campaign for Adefuye’s recall said in an e-mail yesterday.

He disclosed that the petition for Adefuye’s recall would soon be forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Those behind the campaign are currently mobilizing for signatures on various Yahoo groups such as Naija Politics; Nigerian Observer; Nigerian World; Nigerianid; NigerianID; Ra'ayi Riga; 'Yan Arewa; and Dandalin Siyasa.

Transport & Business Express reports that Ambassador Adefuye has been in the eye of the storm lately over alleged highhandedness and the management of the Embassy’s funds, the latter allegation of which President Jonathan has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate.

Those pushing for Adefuye’s recall have cited two examples of Adefuye’s highhandedness to justify their campaign. The first is Adefuye’s directive to EFCC under Mrs. Farida Waziri to place US-based attorney Emeka Ugwuonye on a wanted list and to arrest him upon entry into Nigeria. And the second: The embattled Ambassador’s similar directive to EFCC in respect of Mrs. Patricia Olubufunmi, who had sued him in the USA over a contractual / business dispute.

The campaign for Adefuye’s recall, which is being championed by Igbos, has however divided Nigerians in the USA, as Yorubas are accusing them of pursuing an ethnic agenda – an allegation which they have vehemently denied.

Photo Caption
Ambassador Adefuye with US President Barack Obama