The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, has officially withdrawn the Indigeneship Bill from the National Assembly to allow for broader legislative consultations and stakeholder engagements.
Kalu, who also chairs the House Constitution Review Committee, announced the withdrawal in a statement on Tuesday night, citing the need to address concerns raised by Nigerians and key institutions. He emphasized that the decision follows extensive feedback and recommendations from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), which analyzed the bill’s broader implications.
The Indigeneship Bill was originally aimed at fostering national unity, equity, and inclusiveness by granting all Nigerians, irrespective of their state of residence, equal rights and privileges. However, the NILDS report advised that such objectives could be better achieved through state-level legislations rather than a national law that could create complexities around dual or multiple indigeneship claims.
“States should enact laws that grant settlers the same rights and privileges as indigenes, ensuring there’s no discrimination, as enshrined in the Constitution,” the report noted. It further highlighted the potential legal and administrative challenges if indigeneship rights are extended nationally without clear frameworks.
Kalu reiterated his commitment to ensuring that legislative actions reflect the collective will of the people. “As representatives of the people, we are dedicated to an inclusive, participatory constitution review process where no proposal will be advanced without thorough dialogue and consensus,” he stated.
He called on Nigerians to continue active engagement with the House Committee on Constitutional Review, stressing that building a just, united, and prosperous Nigeria requires collaborative efforts.
The withdrawal of the bill marks a significant moment in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, highlighting the importance of stakeholder input in shaping national policies.
