Indigeneity and citizenship question in sardauna local government area of taraba state, nigeria

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>1.1 Background of the Study</strong></p><p>Nigeria as a country is suffering from several deep-seated identity–based crises. These crises are what refer as ‘national question’ and they are rooted in the strugggles for the control of economic resources and political power (Ojiji &amp; Bassey, 2008; Momoh &amp; Adejumobi, 2001; Momoh, 2001; Sklar, 2004). These crises include among others, indigeneity and citizenship question. The crises associated with indigeneity and citizenship embryonically started early during the colonial era in Nigeria. Since the colonial era, the government and other stakeholders gave little or no attention to address the looming challenges associated with indigeneity and citizenship question in Nigeria. Today, the national question is a serious problem in Nigeria. Ethnic claim to indigeneity and citizenship and the challenges arising from such claims have had serious implications for nation and state building, as well as democratic consolidation, not only in Nigeria but also throughout Africa (Nzongola-Ntalaja, 1987, 1993 &amp; 2004; Wamba-dia-Wamba, 1996).</p><p>Touring down the historical lane, the origin of indigeneity and citizenship question in Nigeria as it is throughout Africa, started with the scramble for Africa in 19th century – a process that later culminated to the contemporary challenges associated with the claims to indigenousness, nativity, aboriginality, and territoriality of the ethnic communities in Africa. In this connection, Meredith (2011:1) states thus: During the scramble for Africa at the end of the nineteenth century, European powers staked claims to virtually the entire continent. At meetings in Berlin, Paris, London and other capitals, European political leaders and diplomats bargained over separate spheres of interest they intended to establish there. … When marking out the boundaries of their new territories, European negotiators frequently resorted to drawing straight lines on the map, taking little or no account of the myriad of traditional monarchies, chiefdoms and other African societies that existed on the ground</p> <br><p></p>