The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised concerns over a bill seeking to confer indigene status on individuals who have resided in a particular location for at least ten years, warning that it could exacerbate ethnic tensions and violence.
The House of Representatives recently passed for second reading a series of bills aimed at amending sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Among them is the Indigene Status Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu and six other lawmakers, which underwent a second reading on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The proposed legislation seeks to grant indigenous rights to individuals who have continuously lived in an area for ten years or to women married to indigenes of that location.
If passed, it would alter relevant sections of the Constitution to redefine indigeneship based on residency and marriage rather than ancestral lineage.
Reacting to the development, Afenifere, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, firmly opposed the bill, arguing that it contradicts the fundamental understanding of indigeneship.
Ajayi explained that modern societies generally classify residents into four categories: indigenes (natives), citizens, residents, and visitors.
While visitors may eventually obtain permanent residency or citizenship through legal processes, indigeneship, according to Afenifere, is deeply tied to ancestry, cultural heritage, and historical roots.
“In various parts of the world, indigeneity is linked to ancestry, historical connection to the land, language, customs, and cultural heritage,” Ajayi stated.
Afenifere suggested that the push for this bill could be motivated by hegemonic ambitions, territorial expansion, and the pursuit of political influence.
The group warned against pursuing such a policy at the expense of indigenous communities, stressing that it could ignite conflicts similar to those witnessed in parts of Nigeria where tensions between indigenes and settlers have led to violent clashes.
The organisation further criticized the failure of authorities to address these disputes adequately, attributing the recurring conflicts to personal biases and dishonesty among those in power.
“Afenifere calls on the National Assembly to abandon this bill and focus on restructuring Nigeria in a way that ensures all regions have a sense of belonging and autonomy within a truly federal system,” the statement concluded.
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