The Honourable Member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon James Abiodun Faleke, has distanced himself from the contentious Indigenous Bill presently under consideration at the National Assembly.
In a statement released via his verified X handle, Faleke characterised reports associating him with the bill as ‘false and misleading,’ stressing that he neither endorses nor sponsored the proposed legislation.
“I have noticed a number of tags and mentions on my social media platforms regarding the proposed Indigenous Bill currently before the National Assembly,” Faleke wrote.
“Let me state categorically that I am not a co-sponsor of the Bill. Any suggestion to the contrary is entirely false and misleading. I do not support the Bill, and I believe it stands no chance of being ratified by the states. It is, therefore, unreasonable to suggest that I would align myself with such a proposal” he vehemently debunked the report.
He urged the public to dismiss what he called ‘unfounded claims’ and to depend exclusively on reliable sources for information about the bill and his position. Although still pending legislative approval, the Indigenous Bill has triggered widespread criticism online and within political spheres.
Opponents claim that the bill may heighten ethnic tensions and impose strict definitions of indigeneity on Nigeria’s complex federal system.
Faleke’s prompt denial emphasizes the political fragility surrounding the bill and potential consequences for lawmakers perceived to be tied to it.
