Yoruba Group Rejects Bill Granting Indigene Rights Through Residency, Marriage

rk Faleye, Engr Kunle Faleti, and Mr Bolarinwa Oladimeji—TYF argued that the bill, sponsored by Hon. Kalu Okezie, would erode the cultural and historical foundations of indigenous peoples across Nigeria and could fuel ethnic tensions, conflicts, and long-term instability.

The group maintained that global best practices do not grant indigenous status based on residency or marriage, citing examples such as Native Americans in the United States, Aboriginals in Australia, and indigenous communities in Canada and New Zealand.

“No serious nation undermines the rights of its indigenous people by arbitrarily granting indigenous status to settlers. Around the world, indigenous identity is tied to ancestry, cultural heritage, and historical connection to the land—not just residency or marriage.

“History has shown that forceful alteration of indigenous identity is a precursor to ethnic violence and civil unrest, especially in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nations.

“Consider these cases: Rwanda (1994 Genocide)—The manipulation of ethnic identity led to mass violence between the Hutu and Tutsi populations, with devastating consequences. South Sudan Conflict—decades of imposed ethnic integrations contributed to tensions that eventually led to South Sudan’s secession. Yugoslavia (Balkan Wars of the 1990s)—The forced blending of ethnic identities contributed to one of Europe’s most brutal conflicts in the 20th century.

“Nigeria itself has witnessed countless ethnic conflicts due to territorial and indigenous disputes. The crises in Jos, Southern Kaduna, Ife-Modakeke, and Aguleri-Umuleri, as well as the clashes between herders and farmers across the Middle Belt, all stem from disputes over land and identity.

Legalising the erasure of indigenous identity will exacerbate these conflicts, not resolve them,” the statement read.

TYF called on representatives from the South-West, South-South, North-Central, North-East, and North-West regions to oppose the bill in its entirety, emphasising that the protection of indigenous rights is a fundamental responsibility that must not be compromised.

The group urged the National Assembly to focus on ethnolinguistic restructuring, as advocated by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, stating that such an approach would promote peaceful coexistence, economic empowerment, and equitable development for all Nigerians without undermining the historical and cultural integrity of indigenous peoples.

“The indigenous identity of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities is a sacred heritage that must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. If this bill is allowed to pass, it will set a dangerous precedent that could lead to an irreversible distortion of Nigeria’s ethnic foundations, leading to deeper fragmentation and possible disintegration,” TYF warned.

Source:- Tribuneonlineng