A socio-cultural organisation, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has warned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to steer clear of a proposed bill seeking to alter Nigeria’s existing indigeneship rights, describing it as a dangerous move capable of inciting ethnic conflict across the country.
The group made this known in a strongly worded letter dated April 2, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker, with copies sent to members of the Lagos State and South-West caucuses in the National Assembly.
The letter, titled “Rejection of the Proposed Federal Bill on Indigenous Rights Due to Its Potential to Incite Ethnic Conflict,” was acknowledged by the Office of the Speaker on April 7, 2025.
Signed by the Alternate Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd.), the President, Mr. Miftau Bolaji Are, and the Secretary General, Mr. Taofeeq Yomi Tokosi, the group explicitly urged the House to discard the bill in the interest of national peace, unity, and security.
The proposed legislation, reportedly sponsored by Hon. Kalu Okezie, seeks to redefine indigeneship by granting such rights to persons who have lived in a particular location for 10 years or have been married to an indigene for the same period.
But the foundation described the bill as “potentially destabilising,” warning it could fuel ethnic tensions, communal violence, and widespread social unrest.
“Our organisation is committed to advocating for the rights of Lagos indigenes, particularly in the areas of self-governance and self-determination,” the letter read in part.
While acknowledging the intent behind the bill, the group stressed that Nigeria already has adequate legal frameworks recognising indigenous rights, notably Sections 13 and 14 of the Constitution and the Federal Character Commission Act.
“Any attempt to redefine indigeneship by conflating it with residency or citizenship would undermine these constitutional protections and exacerbate tensions,” the group stated.
It further argued that the Federal Character Commission Act has not been fully implemented, and introducing laws that dilute indigenous rights could worsen marginalisation and trigger community clashes.
Drawing parallels with global practices, the Foundation cited countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where indigenous rights are distinctly preserved and never equated with residency-based citizenship.
“Nigeria must not deviate from this principle, as doing so could lead to unintended social and political turmoil,” the group warned.
The letter also accused the House of Representatives of ignoring an earlier memorandum submitted by the group in April 2024 on the same issue.
“We received no invitation to defend our position, yet the House appears determined to strip us of our customary rights by scrapping or denying indigeneship,” the Foundation alleged.
Calling on the Lagos State Caucus and the National Assembly at large to reject the bill, the group insisted that the proposal violates principles of natural justice and may stir unrest similar to xenophobic violence experienced in parts of South Africa.
“Lagos State, like other indigenous territories, has long maintained a delicate balance of peace and cultural identity. It is imperative that this harmony is preserved,” the letter added.
The Foundation expressed confidence in the Speaker’s leadership and urged him to take a decisive stance in protecting the historical and constitutional rights of indigenous peoples across Nigeria.
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