Group urges laws in opposition to individuals with international citizenship looking for public workplace

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeaceProfessional)  Wednesday  known as for a constitutional modification requiring anybody looking for public workplace in Nigeria to resign citizenship of some other nation.

The group argued that these entrusted with governing the nation should reveal unique allegiance to Nigeria.

PeaceProfessional govt director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, stated the proposal is within the public curiosity as a result of choices made by Nigerian leaders have an effect on thousands and thousands of residents, management public sources and form the nation’s safety, financial future and worldwide relations.

“Anyone who wants to hold public office in Nigeria must renounce citizenship in any other country. You cannot ask Nigerians to entrust you with their future while retaining the citizenship of another nation. Those who govern Nigeria must be prepared to put Nigeria first, without divided national allegiance,” Hamzat stated.

He argued that the proposal deserves severe consideration at a time when Nigerians anticipate higher accountability from public officers and stronger assurances that nationwide pursuits will take priority over private or international pursuits.

“Public office is not a private privilege, it is a public trust. Those who make decisions on Nigeria’s security, economy, natural resources and foreign policy must be able to demonstrate that their primary national commitment is beyond question,” Hamzat stated.

PeaceProfessional famous that twin citizenship doesn’t robotically make an individual disloyal. However, it argued that Nigeria ought to overtly debate whether or not these exercising public authority needs to be topic to stricter citizenship necessities, significantly the place delicate nationwide choices are concerned.

The organisation acknowledged that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, already disqualifies sure candidates who voluntarily purchase international citizenship from contesting specified elective workplaces. However, it doesn’t impose a blanket requirement for each twin citizen to resign international citizenship earlier than holding public workplace.

Hamzat urged the National Assembly to think about a constitutional modification extending the proposed requirement to elected and appointed public positions, with clear provisions defining its scope and implementation.