The Senate has denied the reported resolution to amend the provisions of Section 29 (4b) of the 1999 Constitution.
“I want to say very clearly that that is not a proper account of what happened on the floor. What we did was to look at the matter of renunciation of citizenship in Nigeria” said senate spokesman, Eyinnaya Abaribe on Channels Television’s breakfast flagship programme, Sunrise Daily.
Abaribe argued that what is obtainable in the 1999 constitution as amended, between Sections 26 and 29 as “what we have is all the matters concerning citizenship in Nigeria” he however added that “Section 29 makes a determination concerning how you can renounce your citizenship”.
Senator Abaribe admitted that Section 29 (4b) “is where the problem now is”.
He said the committee set up to amend the constitution found out that Section 29 (4b) made categorical mentions of a married woman while Section 29 (4a) dwells on the right to denouncing the citizenship of Nigeria.
He further said that Section 29 (4a) “is in conflict with Section 42 of the Constitution and of course Section 42 talks about discrimination and by so we couldn’t have two sections that are against each other. Because by bringing in 4b which makes specific mention of a woman, we felt that it was against (Section) 42”
“the committee brought it to us and said rather than continue to have a problem, let that particular section (Section 29 (4b) be deleted, since 4A is there and it is gender neutral and that is what played out at the floor of the Senate” he said.
He said the senate voted and Section 29 (4b) passed to be deleted but a constitutional point of order was raised by Senator Sani Yerima. He also explained that when a point of order is raised by a legislator “it is bound to be taken by the presiding officer (Senate President)
Section 29 (1) of the 1999 Constitution states: “Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.”
Sub-section (4a) states: “Full age means the age of 18 years and above”, while (4b) says: “Any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.” By this, the constitution only allows marriage for a girl of 18 years and above.