July 29, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
A controversy is brewing around the proposed Indigenous Bill currently before the National Assembly, with false claims circulating about Hon. James Abiodun Faleke’s involvement.
In a swift response on his official X handle, Faleke clarified his stance on the bill.
“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 stated. “Let me state categorically that I am not a co-sponsor of the Bill. Any suggestion to the contrary is entirely false and misleading.”
This clarification came within 24 hours after a Socio-Cultural and Socio-Political organization, Think Yorùbá First , (TYF) launched a campaign, prompting Faleke to respond promptly.
The lawmaker emphasized that he does not support the bill, citing its slim chances of being ratified by the states. “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 added.
Faleke urged the public to disregard the false claims and rely on verified facts instead. “I urge the public to disregard these unfounded claims and remain guided by verified facts,” he concluded.
The proposed Indigenous Bill has raised intense debate, with some experts warning of potential constitutional crises and demographic replacement.
Dr. Adedapo Adebajo, a UK-based academic and public policy analyst, described the bill as a “dynamite stick planted at the cracking foundations of our republic”
In the context of Nigeria, a proposed “Indigene Bill” has been met with opposition from indigenous people in from different ethnicity in Nigeria, who view the legislation as a threat to their ancestral heritage and cultural identity.
The bill seeks to replace indigenous rights with a “state of residence” framework, sparking concerns about demographic destabilization and governance.
