The recent outburst
by Northern delegates at the on-going National Conference has
brought to fore the National question. Even more worrisome is the threat of
violence should the current President contest the 2015 election.
Nigeria is made up of
over 250 ethnic groups which boast of capable men who can lead not only their
ethnic nationality but the whole country.
Prior to the
colonization and later amalgamation, the various ethnic nationalities have
governed their people to the admiration of the colonialists.
So what has changed?
What make an ethnic nationality better than the other?
Preceding colonialization,
superior kingdoms swallow smaller ones after a fierce war. However, the amalgamation
of the Southern and Northern Protectorates was not a war of conquest.
The United
Nations Charter "reaffirmed faith in fundamental human
rights, and dignity and worth of the human person" and committed all
member states to promote "universal respect for, and observance of, human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex,
language, or religion".
Section 42 of the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 states that:
(1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular
community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion
shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-
(a) be subjected either expressly by, or
in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive
or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to
which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of
origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in
the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive
or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to
citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex,
religions or political opinions.
(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be
subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the
circumstances of his birth.
The question is thus, ‘Who
has the right to determine who rules the other’?
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