Group Denounces Bill Proposing to Award Marriage Indigene Status

Yoruba Youth Assembly Kicks Against Granting Indigeneship through Marriage, Residence

A bill that proposes to award a person indigene status on the grounds of marriage, residence for a consecutive period of not less than 10 years, or birth has received strong criticism from groups in Nigeria.

The bill, which is before the National Assembly, aims to modify the requirements for acquiring indigene status in the country. If passed, it would allow individuals to acquire indigene status by virtue of long residence in a state, marriage to an indigene, or simply being born in the country.

Among the first to raise protests against the bill is the Yoruba Youth Assembly, one of the largest ethnic youth bodies. The assembly has requested that lawmakers reject the bill, warning that granting indigene status through marriage or residence would threaten the validity of indigenous identities. In their message, they argued that it would create undue distinction among ethnic groups, erode cultural heritage, and even cause wars over resources and land.

The Yoruba Youth Assembly maintained that indigene status had to be exclusive for those who were born into certain ethnic groups because they believe this would maintain the peculiarity of local communities and instill a sense of belonging.

Legal officials have also criticized the bill. They indicate that the bill would lead to legal contradictions and would actually violate the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which ensures freedom from discrimination. The experts singled out the provision in the bill concerning married women, saying it would be a step back in gender equality in the country.

In Nigeria, a woman who marries an individual from a different ethnic background could, in the bill, lose her status as an indigene or forfeit the benefits of being an indigene. Legal scholars believe that the provision is against the non-discrimination constitutional principle. They also believe that it could discourage inter-tribal marriages, which could then discourage national integration and unity.

Women’s rights groups have also actively opposed the bill, especially where it concerns its effect on wives. During one protest last week, some protesters complained about the bill, contending that it reinforces gender stereotyping. For years, groups have struggled on behalf of women, and for them, this bill represents a step backward to their efforts of achieving equal citizenry and standing for women in Nigerian society.

The proponents of gender equality argue that the bill sustains old-fashioned stereotypes and judicial systems that disvalue women’s agency. In their opinion, denying foreign-born wives of Nigerian men the privilege of obtaining indigene status is not aligned with norms of justice and equality, which should be the cornerstone of national policy.

The bill has also sparked controversy, igniting a national debate over what it means to be an indigene in Nigeria. Some believe it could create a slippery slope of future legislation and policy that will further erode indigenous identity, while others believe it is a move towards unity and inclusiveness.

As the controversy continues, all wait with bated breath at the National Assembly, where parliamentarians are to make the final decision on the bill. But with massive opposition from ethnic groups, lawyers, and women’s groups, only time will tell whether the bill will be passed.

Finally, the bill to grant indigene status by marriage, residence, or birth has been subjected to a withering criticism for its potential impact of watering down indigenous identities, treating women unjustly, and retarding the growth of national cohesion. As the debate continues to rage, the destiny of the bill is uncertain, with growing calls for a more inclusive and equitable means of citizenship in Nigeria.