DEEPENING DEMOCRACY: Citizenship and insecurity

234Next

24 July 2011

DEEPENING DEMOCRACY: Citizenship and insecurity

By Jibrin Ibrahim

Following the increased manifestations of political violence in the country and the emergence of terrorism in which so many innocent lives are being destroyed, I have noted with concern increased calls for renegotiating the terms for Nigerian nationhood and for those who want to opt out of the nation to be allowed to do so.

We are reminded daily that we are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country and our affinities for living together are being stretched too thinly.

This is a familiar theme in Nigerian political discourse and has marked key moments in our history during the struggle for and negotiations for independence, the events leading to the civil war, the Niger Delta uprising, and now, the activities of the Boko Haram activists.

Too often, we forget that heterogeneity in itself is not necessarily a cause of conflict. If it were, the homogenous countries would live in peace, harmony, and love at all times.