The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has questioned the eligibility of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat to contest the 2027 governorship election over his alleged oath of allegiance to the United States.
Rhodes-Vivour raised the issue while speaking on ARISE NEWS monitored by The News Chronicle, arguing that there was a distinction between dual citizenship acquired by birth and citizenship voluntarily obtained by an adult.
He said that an adult who applies for citizenship in another country may be required to swear an oath of allegiance, adding that such an oath is different from being a dual citizen by birth.
According to Rhodes-Vivour, the Nigerian Constitution provides for the disqualification of a governorship candidate who has voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship or declared allegiance to another country, subject to constitutional exceptions.
“I think there’s a misconception here with the idea of dual citizenship,” he said.
“So a child that is born in England today or America that has a dual citizenship had no say in that matter, so does not have to swear an oath of allegiance.
“When you apply, you come of age and you apply for yourself to become a citizen, you have to swear an oath of allegiance.”
Rhodes-Vivour said his legal team raised the issue during the 2023 Lagos governorship election litigation, but argued that the Supreme Court did not directly address the question.
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The controversy had previously featured in proceedings over the 2023 election, where an immigration lawyer testified about an alleged US naturalisation process involving Hamzat. The claim was disputed by Hamzat’s camp.
Rhodes-Vivour also cited former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who he said renounced his American citizenship before becoming prime minister.
He argued that public officials should demonstrate clear allegiance to Nigeria, particularly those seeking positions involving responsibility for the state’s security.
The Lagos 2027 governorship contest has already seen Hamzat emerge as the APC candidate, while Rhodes-Vivour is seeking the office on the ADC platform.
