The minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola has stated that the Nigerian constitution allows President-elect Bola Tinubu to have dual citizenship.
He made the statement when he appeared on Channels Television programme.
Recall that it was reported by journalist, David Hundeyin that Tinubu carries Guinean diplomatic passport.
He alleged that Tinubu lied under oath to the Independent National Electoral Commission that he never obtained citizenship of another country.
“I know he carries a Nigerian passport. I don’t know about dual citizenship. I know he resided abroad when he went into exile,” stated Mr Fashola, a former Lagos governor, on Channels TV Sunday.
He added, “I don’t know if they gave him American citizenship. What does that have to do with the results of the election? The last time I checked, I think the Nigerian constitution allows you to have dual citizenship. Doesn’t it?”
Section 25-27 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution allow dual nationality only for Nigerians of origin by birth and naturalisation.
However, the issue is about perjury. It was alleged that Tinubu in his form EC-9 — application for the presidency — told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he never obtained citizenship of another country.
If it is established that he lied under oath, the president-elect stands to lose his position.