State of Origin Clause: A Recipe for Calamity

The citizens of Nigeria are yawning for equality, freedom and justice that is guaranteed under a verile federal constitution. The absence of these fundamental rights are the basis of all the agitations for self-determination by the various ethnic groups.

Clearly, the laws of the land are not strong enough to guaranty the citizenry their basic rights. The Nigerian constitution does not provide a solid foundation for our democracy to thrive. This weakness encourages the existence of a strong tradocracy fawned by a deeply rooted structure of tribalism and ethnicism which has allowed these powerful interest groups to usurp both our democratic processes and dominated power in the federal level under the guise of majority in population.

Diversity of culture on its own is a good and indeed very strong unifying factor in a federal system of government. A weak constitution only creates an environment for a clash of cultures and ethnic rivalry to the detriment of the other ethnic groups that are not so strong.

It is time for us to strengthen the Nigerian constitution by creating clauses that unites the various ethnic groups and dissolve our tribal differences, and create a soluble and virile democracy where everyone has equal rights and opportunity to live and work in any part of the country that they desire without fear or favour.

To realize this dream require that we amend the Nigerian Constitution and the State-of-Origin clause replaced with a State-of-Residence clause that will promote equality, fairness and justice.

Every citizen born in a particular State and have lived the first twelve years becomes a residence of that State; and if they live for up to twenty years, they automatically become indigenes of their State of residence.

Such a person shall have their rights guaranteed under the constitution and will benefit or enjoy all opportunities availed to residents of the State. A constitution that promote unity and peace and de-emphasize tribal dichotomy and strengthen the rights of the citizens of Nigeria to live in any part of the country that they choose without being sidelined or be seen as non-indigenes of their State of residence.

Having the right to live and work in any part of the country is the foundation of a peaceful and virile nation. All citizens of Nigeria will have the right to vote and be voted for in their State of residence, regardless of tribe or ethnicity.

The State-of-Origin clause if expunged and replaced with the State-of-Residence clause will guaranty equality and gradually eradicate tribalism and nepotism, and strengthen our democracy.

Nigerians deserve to be happy wherever they chose to live. They also deserve to enjoy their full rights as citizens of Nigeria and benefit and enjoy full entitlement and opportunity due to them as residence of their respective States.

The State-of-Origin clause, as trivial as it may seem, it is the single most important underlying factor behind all the grievances and agitations bedeviling the country. It also holds the key to unity and peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians if replaced with the State-of-Residency clause.

Peace and love. #OneNigeriaforlife