A South African advocacy group known as Progressive Forces has initiated a petition calling for Chidimma Adetshina, the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, to be barred from competing in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant. Adetshina’s recent arrival in Mexico, where she is set to represent Nigeria at the global event in November, has fueled tensions in South Africa, leading to the petition launch on Wednesday.

The controversy stems from allegations that Adetshina’s mother engaged in fraud and identity theft during her daughter’s previous involvement in South Africa’s pageant circuit. The South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) reported that preliminary investigations indicated fraudulent actions on the part of Adetshina’s mother. Following these accusations, Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa contest and later accepted an invitation to join the Miss Universe Nigeria competition.

Progressive Forces, urging the Miss Universe organization to disqualify Adetshina, argued that her continued participation could damage the pageant’s reputation. “We are greatly concerned about Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria, whose mother has been found guilty of committing identity fraud,” the group stated in the petition. They further referenced a recent court order on October 29, which reportedly annulled both Adetshina and her mother’s identities in South Africa.

Within 24 hours, the petition has garnered more than 1,000 signatures, highlighting a collective concern over the integrity of the Miss Universe pageant. Progressive Forces emphasized their stance, saying, “We are writing on behalf of everyone who stands for justice to plead with Miss Universe to cancel her entry.”