Constitution Review: House Deputy Speaker Withdraws Proposed Indigeneship Bill

Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has withdrawn the indigeneship bill before the National Assembly for further legislative engagements

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu explained that the withdrawal has become necessary in the light of the concerns and constructive feedback received from various stakeholders, adding that the Bill Analysis Report, forwarded by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) also made it imperative for him to step down the legislation at this time. 

According to the statement, the intention of the bill was to promote national unity, equity, and inclusiveness among all Nigerians, regardless of where they reside, but the NILDS report, in part, suggested that State Houses of Assembly should, instead enact laws that will make settlers in different states enjoy the same rights and privileges by the indigenes.

The report read in part, “States should make laws that would allow settlers to benefit from the same rights and privileges enjoyed by indigenes without any form of discrimination as rightly provided for in the constitution.

“Though the Bill seeks to achieve some commendable objectives, this can be achieved through enactment of law. If this Bill is passed, it would pose challenges with time, especially on the issue of double or multiple indigenship,” the report stated. 

Kalu, who is also chairman of the Constitution Review Committee of the House, expressed his commitment to ensuring that every legislative proposal reflects the wishes of the people, assuring that the Constitution Review process as an open, inclusive, and participatory exercise, can not have a legislative proposal without adequate dialogue and consensus-building.

The statement ended with a call on citizens to continue engaging constructively with the House Committee on Constitutional Review as they work together with Nigerians to build a more just, united, and prosperous country.