SANs say there’s nothing wrong with Obanikoro having dual citizenship

by Damilola Jagun

A couple of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), have said that the claims made by a group, All Nigeria Save Democracy Movement, that any Nigerian with dual citizenship is not eligible to hold a public office, does not exist in the constitution.

The group had, in a petition, implored the Senate to disqualify a ministerial nominee, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, stating that he possesses dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States.

The group claimed that by virtue of Sections 147 (5), Section 66 (1) and Section 28 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Obanikoro “was not even qualified to run for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” which he did and won.

However, the senior lawyers stated that as long as one is a citizen of Nigeria, the person is qualified to either vie for a political office or be nominated for a position, saying there is no law that disqualifies anyone with dual citizenship from assuming public offices.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, said the necessary prerequisite for holding public office is to be a citizen of Nigeria.

He said: “There is no law that says because you have dual citizenship, you are disqualified from holding an elective post or ministerial position in Nigeria.”

Speaking in a similar vein, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tayo Oyetibo, also said there was nothing to prevent any Nigerian from holding public offices as long as the person is a citizen of the country.

“Being a Nigerian is the most important thing, and once a person is a Nigerian, particularly by birth and parentage, he or she can hold public office,” he said.

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