ON THE ‘STATE OF ORIGIN’ PALAVER 

It is imperative to give Nigerians a sense of belonging anywhere they choose to livein the country  

In the past few weeks, there have been media reports of directives by some governors that certain jobs should be reserved only for ‘origins’ of their states. While we understand the motive behind this desperation, our governors should spend more time talking to one another about how to solve a common problem of dwindling opportunities. For the record, there is no section of our constitution that justifies such discrimination. Besides, given that allocation to states from the Federation Account is based on head count, there are also moral issues involved. The simple argument is that a state that collected revenues on behalf of these people (and where they were counted), cannot then turn round to deny them opportunities. Regardless of their ‘state of origin’, we must fashion a way to give Nigerians a sense of belonging anywhere they may be domiciled in the country.  

However, the major test in any serious attempt to abolish this dichotomy between residents of a state in Nigeria would hinge on the fact of definition or redefinition of ‘citizenship’. That is where we continue to fail as a nation. Although we know who a Nigerian citizen is, it is something else when that same Nigerian finds himself or herself in a different location other than his/her ‘state of origin’ which may not even be where they were born. Even when such a Nigerian may have no problem ‘settling’ and doing business anywhere within the country, being accepted as a bona fide resident in the adopted state or community is another matter altogether. While this was not the situation in the past, the recent triumph of ethnic (and sometimes clannish) politics and bigotry is denying Nigerians the benefits of reaping from their contributions outside their ‘state of origin’.

 

The application of the sentiment may be more pronounced in some states or regions than others. But the fact remains that almost every Nigerian is today a ‘settler’ outside his or her ‘state of origin’. In many states, even children are denied things as basic as admission to academic institutions based on their ‘state of origin’ notwithstanding the fact that their parents may not have defaulted in payment of their taxes and in meeting other obligations where they are domiciled. Unfortunately, while it may be easy to enact a law that anyone who had been domiciled in a place for between 10 and 20 years would automatically become a citizen of the state, as it has been suggested several times in the past, giving practical effect to such enactment is where the real challenge lies. Therefore, in lending our support to whatever measures are considered necessary to help confront the monster of indigene/settler dichotomy while promoting national integration and common citizenship, there has to be a change in mindset and a total reorientation of the people.   

It ought to be emphasized that of the myriad challenges that confront the nation today, the management of our diversity ranks at the top. We are divided along all conceivable lines more than ever. Our governors cannot hide under budgetary constraints to deepen this crisis of inclusive nationalism. Instead, they should collectively work towards addressing whatever constitutional adjustments that can remove constraints to an all-inclusive citizenship. We cannot have our political leaders pay lip service to ‘one Nigeria’ while condoning executive decisions by states that deepen divisiveness.

  As we have continued to reiterate on this page, such recourse to alienating citizens based on where their parents were born is detrimental to our national cohesion. That our political parties have refused to take a definitive position on this issue which borders on national unity and the larger interest indicates that they do not understand their roles. We therefore urge authorities in Abuja and the 36 states to explore all the possible impediments and come up with practical solutions. In an era where people of Nigerian ancestry are getting elected and appointed into critical offices in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries, no Nigerian should face discrimination anywhere in the only nation they know as home.