A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has mounted a constitutional defense of Igbo rights to live and work anywhere in Nigeria, challenging recent anti-Igbo sentiment with legal arguments about citizenship and fundamental rights.
In a candid interview on Signature TV, Okonkwo emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution recognizes only national citizenship rather than ethnic or regional identities when it comes to fundamental rights.
“Let me state one thing clear. In the constitution, you won’t see Igbo land. You won’t see Yoruba land. You won’t see Lagos land. You won’t see Anambra land. You won’t see Kano land. What you will see is Nigeria. In the fundamental human rights, what you see is ‘citizen of Nigeria,'” Okonkwo stated.
He then cited specific constitutional provisions protecting citizen rights. “The constitution is very clear. Every citizen of Nigeria has the right, freedom of movement, and freedom to reside, own immovable and movable property in any part of Nigeria without interference,” the ADC chieftain explained.
Okonkwo concluded by highlighting what he described as the absurdity of ethnic expulsion rhetoric. “And somebody is saying ‘Igbo must go.’ There is nothing like Igbo in the constitution when it comes to fundamental human rights. So what they are saying is that Nigerians must go to where? Cameroon or Benin Republic?” he asked.
Naija news channel
