British Citizenship Doesn’t Stop Saraki From Being Senate President of Nigeria

It was reported over the weekend that Senate President, Bukola Saraki is not a Nigerian citizen, but according to several Senior Advocates of Nigeria, being a citizen of the UK shouldn't be a barrier for Dr. Bukola Saraki from being senate president of Nigeria.

A group, All Nigeria Save Democracy Movement, had that any Nigerian with dual citizenship is not fit to hold a public office in the country.

But a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, said what was required for holding public office was for the person to be a citizen of Nigeria.

“There is no law that says because you have dual citizenship, you are disqualified from holding an elective post or ministerial position in Nigeria,” he said.

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, also said there was nothing debarring any Nigerian from holding public offices as long as the person was a Nigerian.

“Being a Nigerian is the most important thing, and once a person is a Nigerian, particularly by birth and parentage, he or she can hold public office,” he said.

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, agreed with his senior colleagues, adding that having dual citizenship would not rob the holder of his/her primary citizenship.