Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has dissociated himself from the controversial Indigenous Bill currently being debated at the National Assembly.
In a statement shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Faleke described reports linking him to the bill as “false and misleading,” emphasising that he neither supports nor co-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 urged the public to disregard what he called “unfounded claims” and to rely solely on verified sources for information regarding the bill and his stance.
Though still under legislative consideration, the Indigenous Bill has triggered widespread criticism online and within political circles. Opponents of the bill argue that it could exacerbate ethnic divisions and introduce rigid interpretations of indigeneity in Nigeria’s already complex federal structure.
Faleke’s swift denial underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the bill and the potential fallout for lawmakers perceived to be associated with it.
