The Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has called for the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, from the Lagos governorship race over an alleged oath of allegiance to a foreign country.
Rhodes-Vivour made the demand on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he addressed the controversy surrounding Hamzat’s citizenship status and the constitutional requirements for candidates seeking elective office.
The ADC candidate argued that there is a distinction between dual citizenship acquired automatically by birth and citizenship obtained by an adult through a formal application process.
According to Rhodes-Vivour, a person born in a foreign country may automatically acquire citizenship of that country without being required to swear an oath of allegiance. He, however, argued that the situation is different when an adult voluntarily applies to become a citizen of another country.
He claimed that an adult seeking citizenship in a foreign nation may be required to participate in a formal naturalisation process and swear an oath pledging allegiance to that country.
Rhodes-Vivour maintained that this distinction is important in determining whether Hamzat remains constitutionally qualified to contest the Lagos governorship election.
“Hamzat’s oath of allegiance to a foreign nation should disqualify him from the governorship bid,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
He further explained that the issue should not simply be reduced to whether a candidate holds dual citizenship, arguing that the circumstances under which the second citizenship was obtained are relevant.
According to him, a child born in countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States may acquire citizenship by birth without having made a personal decision to become a citizen of that country.
He contrasted this with an adult who voluntarily applies for citizenship and is subsequently required to take an oath of allegiance.
Rhodes-Vivour argued that such an oath represents a formal commitment to the foreign country and could potentially create a constitutional issue for anyone seeking to occupy the office of governor in Nigeria.
He said the oath involves a commitment to support the interests of the foreign country and, under certain circumstances, to serve that country if called upon.
The controversy therefore centres on the constitutional implications, if any, of Hamzat’s alleged foreign citizenship and oath of allegiance, rather than simply the possession of dual citizenship.
The claim by Rhodes-Vivour is a political and legal assertion, and whether it ultimately provides grounds for disqualification would depend on the applicable constitutional provisions, the specific facts surrounding Hamzat’s citizenship status and any determination by the relevant electoral or judicial authorities.
The development adds another layer to the political contest ahead of the Lagos governorship election, with Rhodes-Vivour and Hamzat representing two of the major political camps competing for control of the state.
The issue is expected to generate further debate over eligibility requirements for political candidates, the meaning of foreign citizenship under Nigerian law and the circumstances under which an oath of allegiance to another country could affect eligibility for elective office.
