Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has formally withdrawn the proposed Indigeneship Bill from the National Assembly to allow for further legislative consultations and stakeholder engagement.
Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, made the announcement on Tuesday night, stating that the decision was based on constructive feedback from citizens and insights from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
“The decision has become necessary in light of the concerns and feedback received from various stakeholders regarding the bill,” Kalu said.
NILDS Analysis Influences Decision
The Bill Analysis Report submitted by NILDS highlighted that while the bill was well-intentioned — aiming to promote national unity, equity, and inclusiveness — its provisions could lead to unintended complications.
According to the report:
“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 commendable objectives, these can be achieved through state-level legislation. If passed, it could lead to issues such as double or multiple indigeneship claims over time.”
A Commitment to Inclusion and Dialogue
Reiterating his commitment to a people-driven legislative process, Kalu assured Nigerians that no constitutional proposal would be advanced without broad dialogue and national consensus.
“As leaders and representatives, we remain committed to ensuring that every legislative proposal reflects the aspirations of the people we serve.
The Constitution Review process remains an open, inclusive, and participatory exercise.”
Kalu encouraged citizens to remain actively engaged with the House Committee on Constitutional Review, stressing that public input remains crucial in building a just, united, and prosperous Nigeria.
