Amadi Defends Equal Political Rights for All Nigerians

Former NERC chairman Sam Amadi has argued that every Nigerian should be free to seek political office anywhere in the country, regardless of ethnic origin, stressing that citizenship rights must not be limited by tribe or place of birth.

Speaking on national unity, integration and citizenship, Amadi maintained that Nigerians from all ethnic backgrounds should enjoy equal opportunities to participate in politics and public life across the federation. He specifically rejected the notion that Igbos should be prevented from contesting major political positions in Lagos because they are not Yoruba.

“You cannot tell Igbos that they should not vie for the biggest office in Lagos because they are not Yoruba people. That’s an error,” he said.

According to Amadi, the principle of equal citizenship rights means that every Nigerian remains entitled to the same legal and political protections regardless of where they reside.

“The idea of common citizenship is that we are all citizens of Nigeria. We can’t be less citizen in Sokoto,” he stated.

While defending equal citizenship rights, Amadi drew a distinction between civic rights and cultural privileges. He explained that non-indigenes may not claim ownership of traditional institutions or cultural structures in their host communities, but this should not affect their constitutional rights to vote, be elected or participate fully in governance.

“An Igbo man who has built his business, who says ‘I want to represent Apapa,’ has a right. And the people have a right to choose him or not,” he said.

Amadi also encouraged young Igbos to confidently pursue lawful opportunities and political ambitions across Nigeria while remaining respectful and tolerant of other communities.

“We should be wise, respectful and tolerant, but we must be assertive. We must be clear that we are part of Nigeria,” Amadi said.

He further warned that national integration could suffer if citizens feel excluded from opportunities outside their ancestral homelands. The former regulator also expressed concern over growing perceptions that ethnicity, rather than merit, increasingly determines access to opportunities in the country.

Can Nigeria achieve stronger national unity if all citizens fully embrace the principle of equal citizenship regardless of ethnicity?