Teni Apata, a Nigerian singer, has come under attack on Twitter after an old video wherein she referred to Erica as “Omo Igbo” resurfaced online.
At the beginning of this year’s Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show, Erica and Laycon had dominated the headlines over the controversies trailing their friendship.
The drama had started when Laycon professed his love for Erica.
Erica had, however, turned down Laycon’s request, explaining that she was never attracted to him.
The development appeared to have taken a toll on the singer then, raising concerns among his fans.
Amid the drama back in August, the ‘Uyo Meyo’ crooner had released a video wherein she asked “Omo Igbo” — a term used to refer to people of Igbo extraction which Erica belongs — to leave Laycon alone.
In the clip, she also said that Laycon was under “spiritual love attack.”
“You Igbo people, leave Laycon alone. Erica has… They’ve laid a curse on Laycon. Laycon is under a spiritual love attack. He must be released. Every spirit of mumu, ode, oponu, be released,” she had said.
Erica would later be disqualified as the drama between the two reality stars assumed a dramatic twist.
Weeks after her disqualification, some Twitter users are now using the old video as reference to accuse the ‘Billionaire’ crooner of being tribalistic with her “dislike” for Erica.
A segment of users, however, rose to her defence, arguing that her remark was not derogatory.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
Life is not difficult. If people say they find being called Omo Igbo or Aboki insulting, then, stop.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) September 24, 2020
The way yorubans sees "onye ofe mmanu" as an insult that how Igbos sees "omo igbo" too. And seeing the relationship between Laycon and Erica currently, "omo igbo" is derogatory. Make una dey reason abeg
— The Tech Guy🇳🇬💸🌟 (@felixdeco91) September 23, 2020
Yes the term "Omo Igbo" is not derogatory, its the fact that Teni chose to use the label. As a celeb she should know better than using tribal labels. I'm Igbo and have been rooting for Laycon from Day one, I so much hate that we've brought a tribal brawl out of this thing again
Advertisement— Milista of Informashun 🇳🇬 ❁ (@EkeVanVictor) September 24, 2020
I won't even lie, Eastern Nigerians have the most derogatory name for other tribes but they cry wolf the most.
You complain about ”omo Igbo” which literally means an Igbo child but in the east, they call Hausa people the same name they call cows. ”Nama” which even means meat
— Dr Moh (@MohWorldent) September 23, 2020
You can call me "Yoruba Demon" but I can't call you "Omo Ibo"…
Oya reason am yourself… You done see say nah MENT!
— Perseus👑 (@Ashola_O_Daniel) September 24, 2020
"Omo Igbo" is not ordinarily derogatory because it literally means "Igbo person" but what we're not going to do is pretend that it isn't used in a particular context as an ethnic slur. Pls and pls.
— Forehead for three🍭✨ (@Bubee_O) September 24, 2020
Has Erica suddenly stopped being an Omo ibo? Which wan is teni's own again? Ab' ode ni Yin ni?
— Genius Oritsetimeyin Way (@Unclewhay) September 24, 2020
Teni, this is poor damage control. Your bigotry jumped out in your Laycon solidarity video..
You don't address Erica as "Omo Igbo". Same way I don't expect Rita Dominic or any Igbo celeb to address Laycon as "Onye ofe mmanụ".
Don't be divisive in your quest for votes.
— Unu Amaro Kam Siri Kwado (@AfamDeluxo) September 23, 2020
I didn't want to taint my TL with this issue from BBnaija but it has to be said to set the record straight, cos we will do back.
>Aside from the fact that "Omo you" is essentially derogatory.
What Teni did with the "Omo you" thing is to point out the "otherness" of the subject.— Anambra 1st son💭 (@UchePOkoye) September 24, 2020
Teni clearly lacks emotional intelligence to understand that context matters.
Addressing Erica as omo Igbo sips out as a tribal bigot and will take more than just damage control to clear it.
— Afam bu Ogbuefi (@MistaChika) September 24, 2020
Omo Ibo means shey you be from Igbo, omo Yoruba means shey you be Ibile, Aboki means shey you be from north. We don dey call one another these names since Nah, but cos some of you no get brain you don take wetin Teni as big thing, no be your fault nah, nah cos we dey naija.
— Imported Alhaji 🦅 (@ImportedAlhaji) September 24, 2020
I believe people have a problem with Laycon, not teni or the word omo igbo, i am Yoruba and most of us don't even have a problem with igbo people, your girls are so beautiful and so is Erica
So please what is the specific colour of your problem? Is it Laycon? pic.twitter.com/f1Q3vqwE4D
— SirPapi💣 ICON (@da_jay_papi) September 24, 2020
So because Teni called Erica omo igbo!
These Stupid group of individuals called Elites opened their rubbish mouth waaaa .Call me Omo Yoruba it’s a thing I’m proud of
Elites are just idiots that needs to be isolated
Period!! pic.twitter.com/QZw2hbZIS0— desola (@odokoyole) September 24, 2020
The “Omo Igbo” that elites are criticizing Teni for is just misplaced priorities set by people who actually don’t follow standards
People who will still call
White people- Oyinbo
Hausa- aboki/mallamSo please what’s the fuse in “omo Igbo”….there is nothing tribalistic in it
— ً (@theakorede) September 24, 2020
Because Teni called Erica omo igbo, elites abi wetin dem call themselves don start dey vex. Please call me omo Yoruba because i am one.
People with misplaced priorities.
— uncle DEEN™ 💛#BBNaija (@officialmrdeen) September 24, 2020
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