Indigene-Settler Dichotomy and Citizenship in Africa: Perspectives from Otuocha and Jos

Abstract

The affirmation of citizenship in Africa primarily based on the primordial characteristics of indigeneity, which breeds tension between natives and settlers in diverse ways that make the primary intents and purposes of citizenship blurred in favour of myths. Indigeneship is entrenched in the national life, making it the basis of engagement as the key and characteristic feature of the state. Ironically, indigeneship fragments the Nigerian people and propels, in most cases, group contestations in both urban and rural areas. This chapter examines the ways the dialectics set by indigene-settler dichotomy frustrate citizenship in general, Otuocha, and Jos in particular and lead to conflicts. Otuocha is in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria, while Jos in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, North Central Geopolitical zones, respectively. The chapter adopts political economy analysis using qualitative approach. The tools employed in data collection are key informant interview (KII) and non-participant observation. The study relied on content analysis of materials from key informant interviews, observations, records, oral histories, reports, memoranda, gazettes, communiqués, surveys, etc. to explain indigeneship contestations and conflicts in Otuocha and Jos environments. It reveals that tensions and conflicts in contested areas are consequences of mainly vested politicized decisions of state managers and elites over resources and not necessarily of ethnic and cultural differences. The study establishes that the contestations in Jos and Otuocha are linked to the quest for ascendancy in land and political resource control for individual and group gains, through tenuous masked mobilization of ethno-religious and other related primordial identities. The study identifies that indigene-settler dichotomy diminishes the emergence of citizenship pursued through the deployment of various default public policies of inclusion/exclusion (regionalism, federal character, quota, zoning, state of origin, etc.) that favours indigenes over settlers. The study opines that citizenship conundrum in Nigeria needs to be addressed holistically by eliminating the contradictory notions in Nigerian citizenship (constricted rights, policies and practices) in the constitution, extant laws and de-facto politics by enforcement of the rule of law, citizens’ rights and residency rights.

Appendices

Appendix A

Interview Guide

The State and Indigeneship Crisis in Otuocha and Jos

• 1. What would you say about the advent of the white man and its link to communal conflicts in your area?

• 2. What ways did the colonial rule impact indigeneship?

• 3. How do you see the state heritage of ‘divided and rule’ and the contestations in your area?

• 4. What is your perception of settlers restricted right in relation to indigene ‘privilege’ in your area?

• 5. What is your impression of the state practice of indigene-settler dichotomy (first to arrive) in a diverse Nigeria?

• 6. What is your opinion on the state actions or inactions in handling the disputed areas?

Land Claims, Politics and Indigenenship in Otuocha and Jos

• 7. We are the first to settle here, the lands belong exclusively to us. How do you react to this practice?

• 8. What is your impression towards the idea that settlers should remain settlers perpetually?

• 9. What is your impression of Government efforts on enforcement of rights especially on lands?

• 10. Does agitation for land affect the relations between communities?

• 11. How do you see the Nigerian state in the management of the indigeneship disputes?

• 12. Do you see the state as taking sides in the struggle of groups?

• 13. In your assessment, do you take state officials as fair to all parties in the crisis?

• 14. Is the state neutral in the ways it handles cleavages in the contested areas?

• 15. Do you share the opinion that the government is not decisive on issues until it degenerates to conflict (not proactive)?

Identity Renditions and Indigeneship Crisis in Otuocha and Jos

• 16. We are the first to settle here therefore the land is ours. How authentic is this claim?

• 17. Do you share the opinion that settler elites should restrict their involvement in politics to native places?

• 18. How do you see limiting of citizens’ rights anywhere in the contested areas?

• 19. Please, who should enjoy full citizenship rights in the disputed area?

• 20. Settlers should not take appointive positions; it is for the sons of the soil. What is your impression?

• 21. Do religious and ethnic infractions really form the basis for group contestations?

Guides to Suggested Policy Frameworks That Can Help Actualize Citizenship

• 22. Do you see elite interests in the policy of indigeneship (Federal character, quota, zoning, etc.) as the motives for prosecution of conflicts?

• 23. Has the programs/policies of the state on indigeneship as it were, ameliorated group conflicts in the contested areas?

• 24. Is it proper to tie indigeneship to ethnicity in a diverse country?

• 25. Please give main reasons that you consider critical in the struggles of the contested areas.

• 26. Please make suggestions that can help in eliminating indigeneship and actualize citizenship.

Appendix B

Key Informants

Otuocha

• 1. H.R.H Igwe Nelson Okoye. Igwe Okebo 1 of Umuleri (Interviewed Umuleri 28 December 2016)

• 2. Mike Ekweonu Onowu, Iyasele of Umuleri (Traditional Prime Minister) Interviewed Umuleri 29 December 2016)

• 3. Hon. Pius Okonkwo (President General, Umuleri General Assembly) Interviewed Umuleri 29 December 2016)

• 4. HRH. Pius Idigo Igwe of Aguleri (Interviewed Aguleri 30 December 2016)

• 5. Eze Chukwuemeka Eri (Traditional prime minister) Aguleri (Interviewed Aguleri 31 December 2016)

• 6. Dr Sam Nnana Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State (Interviewed Aguleri 4 January 2017)

• 7. Chief Ignatius Akudolu—Community leader (Interviewed Aguleri 4 January 2017)

• 8. Mrs. Chinasa Ejinkeonye—Community leader (Interviewed Umuleri 5 January 2017)

• 9. Chief Chukwukandu Ikenna—Youth leader (Interviewed Umuleri 5 January 2017)

• 10. Chief Okoli Emeka (Interviewed Umuleri 5 January 2017)

• 11. Ikechukwu Anajere (Interviewed Aguleri 5 January 2017).

Jos

• 1. Jonathan Nyam, Spokesperson Anaguta Youth Movement (Interviewed Jos 13 January 2017)

• 2. Danityan Titus (Interviewed Jos 13 January 2017)

• 3. Chief Malachy Akwen (Interviewed 14 January 2017 Jos)

• 4. Prof. Danladi Atu (spokesperson for Afizere) (Interviewed Jos 14 January 2017)

• 5. Moses Gbande (Interviewed Jos 13 January 2017)

• 6. Ericson Fom (Spokesperson for Berom) (Interviewed Jos 15 January 2017)

• 7. John Nodza (Interviewed Jos 14 January 2017)

• 8. Ruth Akuh (Interviewed Jos 15 January 2017)

• 9. Aliyu Usman (Interviewed Jos 16 January 2017)

• 10. Haliru Garba (Interviewed Jos16 January 2017)

• 11. Dr Pindar Nelson (Interviewed Jos 16 January 2017)

• 12. kolo, Mamman (lnterviewed Jos 15 January 2017)

• 13. Haruna, Bello. (Interviewed Jos 16 January 2017).