The Nigerian State And The Indigeneship Dichotomy: Issues And Prospects

Abstract

It is expected that the plurality and diversity of the Nigerian State would be sources of strength in all facets of socio-economic and political life of the country but the reverse has been the case as this unique feature of diversity has become one of the banes of the country’s efforts at national integration and peaceful co-existence. The study therefore seeks to unravel the ramifications of indigene-settler syndrome, citizenship question, and the deficiencies in the constitution as well as its attendant crises among citizens of the Nigeria State as against their fundamental rights and privileges. It interrogates the roles of the state in mediating this dilemma and discovers that the various ethnic political elites have further exacerbated the citizenship dilemma by fanning the embers of tribal and religious sentiments as basis for mobilizing the so called indigenous peoples for political and economic reasons. The communitarian theory of citizenship forms the theoretical framework of analysis. Relying on secondary sources of data, the study employs the content technique of analysis. It recommends for a review of the constitution to provide more accommodation for settler rights that would be enforceable under the law and de-emphasize the state of origin syndrome. It also recommended that; the Nigerian State should play the role of a neutral arbiter and guarantee the rights of its citizens residing in any part of the country.