The controversy stems from a Facebook post alleging Okonjo-Iweala’s criticism of the economic decisions of the administration of President Bola Tinubu amidst a reported rise in national debt to N24 trillion within two months, despite the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has condemned the unauthorised use of her name and image by political actors in the country, clarifying that she remains a neutral international civil servant.
This follows a Facebook post attributing statements to her regarding Nigeria’s economic policies.
In a statement posted on her official X handle, Okonjo-Iweala clarified, “It appears that there are people in Nigeria trying to use my name and image on social media to fight battles on different sides of the political divide, putting words in my mouth that I never said.”
She emphatically declared, “Therefore, I want to alert everyone that the message below is FAKE. This is a stern warning to all those trying to misuse my name for their political ends that I will continue to rebut any attempts to use my name and image falsely!”
The controversy stems from a Facebook post alleging Okonjo-Iweala’s criticism of the economic decisions of the administration of President Bola Tinubu amidst a reported rise in national debt to N24 trillion within two months, despite the removal of fuel subsidy.
“I call several times to help and advise but the current administration and cabals refuse to let me come in. How can you remove fuel subsidies with a debt of 24 trillion in 2 months,” the post claimed, attributing the words to Okonjo-Iweala.
In response, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised the importance of accurate information and urged the public to verify sources before believing and sharing content, especially on sensitive economic matters.
“This incident highlighted the importance of being vigilant in distinguishing between fact and misinformation, especially in discussions about national economic policies,” Okonjo-Iweala said.
The WTO Director-General reiterated her commitment to global economic stewardship and her dedication to combating the misuse of her reputation for political gains within Nigeria.
