₦airaland Forum

*Renounce Foreign Citizenship Before Seeking Public Office in Nigeria — PeacePro*

_Hamzat calls for constitutional amendment, citing national security, public trust and undivided allegiance to Nigeria_

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has called for a constitutional amendment requiring anyone seeking public office in Nigeria to renounce citizenship of any other country, arguing that those entrusted with governing the nation must demonstrate exclusive allegiance to Nigeria.

PeacePro Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said the proposal is in the public interest because decisions made by Nigerian leaders affect millions of citizens, control public resources and shape the country's security, economic future and international 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 said.

He argued that the proposal deserves serious consideration at a time when Nigerians expect greater accountability from public officials and stronger assurances that national interests will take precedence over personal or foreign interests.

“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 said.

PeacePro noted that dual citizenship does not automatically make a person disloyal. However, it argued that Nigeria should openly debate whether those exercising public authority should be subject to stricter citizenship requirements, particularly where sensitive national decisions are involved.

The organisation acknowledged that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, already disqualifies certain candidates who voluntarily acquire foreign citizenship from contesting specified elective offices. However, it does not impose a blanket requirement for every dual citizen to renounce foreign citizenship before holding public office.

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

“This is not about rejecting Nigerians in the diaspora or questioning their contributions to national development. It is about establishing a consistent standard for those who seek the authority to govern. If ordinary Nigerians are expected to bear the consequences of decisions made in this country, those making those decisions must demonstrate an unequivocal commitment to Nigeria,” he said.

PeacePro called for a national debate on the proposal, stressing that any reform must be pursued through constitutional processes and carefully balanced against the rights of Nigerians by birth, democratic participation and the country's interest in benefiting from diaspora expertise.

PeacePro maintained that Nigeria's sovereignty, public trust and national interest must remain central to any debate about the qualifications required to govern the country.

https://newsbreaknaija.com/renounce-foreign-citizenship-before-seeking-public-office-in-nigeria-peacepro/

It makes no sense for you to hold the citizenship of another country and want to be elected in another country while promising a better future for them.

If you fail to achieve what you promised, you have another option to bail out but those you promised do not.

Renounce your foreign citizenship and swear allegiance to the country you want to serve or forget about it.

The US will never allow such arrangement.

Wow, so this isn't common sense.

I think for now it's only the president that have to renounce it, but it should be every one from state house of assembly to president and his associates.

Yes I once raised this issue sometime ago on how it negatively affects leadership and development of a country.

This is evil practice and is terrible, a nation that wants to be great will have to deal with this issue as a way forward.


How I wish this awareness can spread like fire and something positive being done about it.

A dual citizenship does not disqualify any Nigerian from seeking any public office.

I am an advocate of this message.

They won't want this one. They would rather prefer the suicide law than foreign citizenship renouncement.

Holding dual citizenship is not the problem of leadership in Nigeria

There are politicians that are not dual citizens, full - blooded Nigerians and they are looting the country dry

People should be allowed to hold any citizenship of their choice as long as they are diligent to their job and are ready to put Nigeria first

Renouncing a citizenship of another country will not changed a bad politician or leader.

Sheuns:
It makes no sense for you to hold the citizenship of another country and want to be elected in another country while promising a better future for them.

If you fail to achieve what you promised, you have another option to bail out but those you promised do not.

Renounce your foreign citizenship and swear allegiance to the country you want to serve or forget about it.

The US will never allow such arrangement.

Not true.

Dual citizenship is currently allowed for U.S. politicians under federal law and the U.S. Constitution, which do not ban dual citizens from serving in Congress or holding federal office.

Historical Precedent: Past and present members of Congress have held dual citizenship (such as former Senator Ted Cruz, who was a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada before renouncing his Canadian citizenship in 2014).

Way to go. This is good for Nigeria's leadership if they can adhere

experts:
*Renounce Foreign Citizenship Before Seeking Public Office in Nigeria — PeacePro*

_Hamzat calls for constitutional amendment, citing national security, public trust and undivided allegiance to Nigeria_



https://newsbreaknaija.com/renounce-foreign-citizenship-before-seeking-public-office-in-nigeria-peacepro/

na that one go make nigeria better? Is having Dual Citizenship the leadership issue of nigeria. OR the corrupt mindset of the average nigerian. Stupidity is plenty in Nigeria

You don't tell Super Eagles Players to renounce their Foreign citizenship

...but makes sense for Nigerians to hold political positions abroad and celebrate it ba ?

I deh always talk say Nigerians are terible people.

They should start with Femi Gbajabiamila

Good initiative. It ought to have been there in the constitution.

"Won fi ete sile won npa lapalapa."
Nigeria leadership problem is not dual leadership. With the exception of Tinubu who may be a US citizen, which one of our past president/head of state and vice hold dual citizenship? How many past senate president and national assembly speaker hold dual citizenship?

Politics




Very Funny



Princess Faith Chukwuamaka

nonsense...even Americans in office have dual citizenships ..we have Jewish Americans that are Israeli citizens. So if someone is a US/UK citizen, he or she should renounce it to run for offices.

experts:
*Renounce Foreign Citizenship Before Seeking Public Office in Nigeria — PeacePro*

_Hamzat calls for constitutional amendment, citing national security, public trust and undivided allegiance to Nigeria_



https://newsbreaknaija.com/renounce-foreign-citizenship-before-seeking-public-office-in-nigeria-peacepro/

I support this proposal, you can't be carrying and American or British passport and want to contest to be president of Nigeria

Is this our problem?? NO! Jus a good human with a good team

Makes no sense, after Public office then what?

experts:
*Renounce Foreign Citizenship Before Seeking Public Office in Nigeria — PeacePro*

_Hamzat calls for constitutional amendment, citing national security, public trust and undivided allegiance to Nigeria_



https://newsbreaknaija.com/renounce-foreign-citizenship-before-seeking-public-office-in-nigeria-peacepro/

Nonesense..don't we have Nig citizens holding elected offices in abroad

experts:
*Renounce Foreign Citizenship Before Seeking Public Office in Nigeria — PeacePro*

_Hamzat calls for constitutional amendment, citing national security, public trust and undivided allegiance to Nigeria_



https://newsbreaknaija.com/renounce-foreign-citizenship-before-seeking-public-office-in-nigeria-peacepro/

The times and moments we are, this proposal makes no sense.

We have not had and shown any will power to hold political office holders accountable when it comes to management of finances and issues leading to abuse of power, what has allegiance got to do .....

Any government who abides by the dictates of other foreign nations has already pledged allegiance to them, so the individuals dont need to denounce their citizenship......
Apart from those who became citizens through natural birth, if Nigeria was a good nation, no sensible person would be wanting to be citizen of another nation.

quickly:
na that one go make nigeria better? Is having Dual Citizenship the leadership issue of nigeria. OR the corrupt mindset of the average nigerian. Stupidity is plenty in Nigeria

You don't tell Super Eagles Players to renounce their Foreign citizenship

That's is the main problem. How can swear allegiance to two countries, and still hold sensitive office in one of them? Even the Bible says you cannot serve two masters. This is why most of our politicians steal and destroy their country and states, and jump into the next available flight immediately leaving office.

PigTormentor:
Not true.

Dual citizenship is currently allowed for U.S. politicians under federal law and the U.S. Constitution, which do not ban dual citizens from serving in Congress or holding federal office.

Historical Precedent: Past and present members of Congress have held dual citizenship (such as former Senator Ted Cruz, who was a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada before renouncing his Canadian citizenship in 2014).

The USA will not allow you hold dual citizenship. You’ll be disqualified on security clearance unless you renounce the other country.

Wait until I have ruled Lagos before you change the law. Also, extend it to state of origin.

Sheuns:
The USA will not allow you hold dual citizenship. You’ll be disqualified on security clearance unless you renounce the other country.

Ted Cruz became a US Senator in 2012, and he held Canadian and US citizenship.
You can easily verify that via Google.

Yes, Ted Cruz was still a Canadian citizen when he became a U.S. Senator.
• Election to the Senate: Ted Cruz was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2012 and took office in January 2013.
• Dual Citizenship by Birth: He was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 1970 to an American mother and a Cuban father. Because of his birthplace, he automatically held Canadian citizenship alongside his U.S. citizenship (conferred by his mother), though he stated he was unaware of his dual status for most of his life.
• Renunciation Date: After the Dallas Morning News publicly reported his Canadian citizenship in August 2013, Cruz began the renunciation process. His official Canadian Certificate of Renunciation was finalized on May 14, 2014, more than a year after he entered the Senate.

Good move and well accepted but has peacepro ever opined to say such to U.S Congress men and others seeking public office? If not, your opinion isn't applauded nor welcomed here. Only brainwashed Nigerians will embrace your advice

SamuraiXXX:
I support this proposal, you can't be carrying and American or British passport and want to contest to be president of Nigeria

explain why?

thats how u lose out of credible people. The nigerian mindset is already corrupted u need Good ppl from outside.

So if u have an equivalent Obama that is Nigerian , he is disqualifed? or Okonjo Iwela for example shes a dual citizen Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) but because of passport shes disqualied?.

Nigeria allows dual nationality unlike countries like congo

Sheuns:
The USA will not allow you hold dual citizenship. You’ll be disqualified on security clearance unless you renounce the other country.

u are lying or this is false. even us president can be a dual citizen as long as he meets the follow
Natural‑born U.S. citizen

At least 35 years old

14 years of U.S. residency.

u can google it

whitebeard:
Wow, so this isn't common sense.

It is common sense for people who understand what it means to be a citizen of a country and what allegiance to your country means.

When a people who aren’t dual citizens openly de-market their country, constantly run to other countries to report their internal affairs and grievances, willingly ridicule their country, calling for military action against their country by other countries, what does it matter if a contestant is a dual citizen?

Let those who aren’t dual citizens show they understand what it means to be a citizen of a country before they start pontificating.

I agree, that once you willingly take an oath of allegiance to another country, you should not be able to contest for any office in Nigeria but when Nigerians without dual nationality themselves act against the interests of their country, they make the whole issue a waste of time and energy.