10th November, 2012
Jamiu Yisa
The clause on Indigeneship and Citizenship this morning, caused an uproar at the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency’s public hearing on constitution amendment.
The public hearing which had 38 items for discussion, in line with the directive of the National Assembly leadership, was held at Emmanuel Ministries Hall, 33, Okota Road, Chemist Bus stop, Isolo, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
The one day programme coordinated by Hakeem Abiodun Muniru, a member of the House of Representatives, representing the constituency, was attended by the chairmen of Ejigbo and Isolo Local Council Development Areas, Kehinde Bamigbetan and Shamsudeen Olaleye, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Omowunmi Edet, The Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, traditional rulers, residents, market men and women, students among others.
The clause, which was item 5 on the programme sought to know whether a non-indigene, who had resided in an area for a long period of time could be entitled to accruing rights, duties and privileges.
Expectedly, while indigenes like the Royal father, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka were opposed to it, the Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Shamsudeen Olaleye was in agreement with the clause.
Oba Agbabiaka hinged his opposition on the fact that no Yoruba man can contest governorship election in either the north or south-east of the country.
But Olaleye countered that “once it becomes a constitutional provision, it would be binding on all the political zones in the country.”
At the end of the sitting anchored by the Chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Monday Ubani voted for items like definite tenure for Local Councils, states funding of councils, presentation of annual budget three months before the end of fiscal year and retention of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
Other items voted for also included immunity for only civil proceedings, Statetate Police and retention of two term tenure for President and the State Governors.