Parent alleges bias in conduct of Little Miss Nigeria pageant, urges transparency - The Guardian Nigeria News

AN aggrieved parent, Babatunde Oyeniyi, has called for greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of the Little Miss Nigeria pageant, raising concerns over the integrity of its voting and ...

AN aggrieved parent, Babatunde Oyeniyi, has called for greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of the Little Miss Nigeria pageant, raising concerns over the integrity of its voting and winner selection processes.

He demanded urgent clarification from the event’s organisers to protect the credibility of the competition.

The concerned parent disclosed that he observed promotional materials featuring Miss Aishat Audu, who was subsequently announced as the overall winner, being circulated well before the official close of the voting period.

According to him, the premature release of such materials has prompted critical questions regarding the sequence of events and the authenticity of the final results, which must be addressed by the organisers.

He explained that “We are not asking for favour. We are asking for fairness, transparency and an opportunity for every contestant to receive justice based on merit.”

He challenged the organisers to provide relevant data and comprehensive information detailing the voting and judging processes.

This he noted, is essential to reassure both the contestantscontestants and members of the general public about the fundamental integrity of the exercise.

Oyeniyi further called on relevant stakeholders, including the federal ministry responsible for arts and culture, as well as regulatory pageant bodies, to support efforts aimed at promoting strict transparency in competitions involving minors.

He stressed that children participating in pageants naturally deserve a nurturing environment where their innate talent, hard work, and merit are genuinely respected and rewarded, urging the organisers to swiftly review the raised concerns and provide appropriate public clarification.