Chidera Abaratu, PBA Journalism MenteeBy Chidera Abaratu, Journalism Mentee
A renowned Nigerian Investigative Journalist, David Hundeyin, has accused the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, of allegedly holding dual citizenship status.
In a video shared on Twitter on Sunday, July 2, 2023, Mr Hundeyin claimed that Obafemi Hamzat had in the past taken an oath to become a citizen of the United States of America, which is against the Nigerian constitution for every public officer.
According to Section 187 (1)(a), being a citizen of a foreign country and at the same time Nigeria disqualifies one from running for public office. The subsection states: that “ (1) No person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if- (a) subject to the provisions of section 28 of this Constitution, he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a country other than Nigeria or, except in such cases as may be described by the National Assembly.
In a video, the Lagos State deputy governor, among other immigrants, was seen making a declaration of allegiance to the US and was thereafter, officially declared a citizen of the State.
In his tweets describing the video, Mr Hundeyin said: “The oath that Obafemi Hamzat took to become a U.S. citizen sounds exactly like a renunciation of all Nigerian allegiance to me.”
Some Nigerians who reacted to Mr Hundeyin’s post on Twitter urged the Nigerian judiciary to take the necessary decision on the matter in line with provisions of the country’s constitution. while others say that this occurred because of the corrupt nature of the country that allows elected officials to do things without recourse to the laws guiding their actions.
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