Nothing wrong with indigenization bill – Ohanaeze back Deputy Speaker, Kalu

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A leading Igbo cultural group has strongly criticized the resistance to a proposed indigenisation bill currently under consideration as part of the constitutional amendment efforts in the House of Representatives.

The Constitution Review Committee is being led by Benjamin Kalu, who serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House.

The aim of the proposed legislation is to grant indigeneship status to individuals who have lived in a particular state for at least ten years or are married to a citizen of the country.

This proposal has stirred debate, with critics alleging that it is an attempt to allow the Igbo community to lay claim to Lagos.

Reacting in a statement released on Sunday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, condemned the frequent targeting of the Igbo people, saying it is regrettable that some individuals are always quick to “attack Ndigbo at every material time.”

Okwu expressed disbelief that a piece of legislation designed to serve all Nigerians equally is being portrayed as one that solely benefits the Igbo.

He reminded those making anti-Igbo sentiments that “a Fulani man from Sifawa in Sokoto Caliphate – Mallam Umaru Altine, had in 1952 become elected as the first Mayor of the City of Enugu, the heart land and heartbeat of the Igbo Nation.”

“Following from above, it is strange when people struggle to present Ndigbo as a people that are not accommodating other tribes, even when they know deep down in their hearts that such postulation is a fallacy.

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“The fact that Ndigbo live and cohabit with other Nigerians freely is a testament to the fact that they have open and large hearts.

“Unfortunately, certain persons have also continued to make baseless claims that they cannot buy landed property because they were not from the South-East. What could be far from the truth.

“I make bold to say that no person selling property in Igbo land bothers about the state of origin of the buyer, the central point is readiness to pay the price tag for the property. The South-East remains open for investment, for all Nigerians and beyond.

“To therefore use this as lame excuses to oppose the bill are clear indications that one Nigeria remains a mirage, only practicable when it is convenient for some people.”

Okwu stressed that those who wish Nigeria to move forward should stop dissipating energy on things that polarize the country.

“We should make an effort to unite and not disunite the country.

“If people can be counted during a census in their places of residency, why then can’t they be regarded as citizens of such places after staying for over 10 years?

“We firmly stand behind the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Benjamin Kanu and urge those opposed to the bill to look at it on merit and not with ethnic lens.

“The biggest problem that has held Nigeria down for decades is ethnicity and time has come to let it go,” he further stated.

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