Human and natural resourcefulness, territorial integrity and national greatness is a function of the capacity and commitment of citizens. Thus, as it is the citizens that determine national greatness, they ought to constitute the most important consideration in the matter of nation-building. Our most grievous misfortune as a nation is in the displacement of this essence for other secondary factors, such as political power, resources and space. Prioritization of the subject of citizenship essentially elevates other factors as citizens are the motivators and determinants of the others. Efforts at resolving the question of; ‘who is a Nigerian?’ or more appropriately, ‘who should the Nigerian be will simultaneously activate all the processes and things that make for national greatness.
The absence of statesman leadership is a sign of devaluation of citizenship. The assurance of statesman leadership is the reason for the admission of the oaths of office and allegiance as mandated by the Nigerian constitution. Thus, it is a grievous act of misconduct if these constitutional standards, as contained in these oaths, are violated. Good leadership is assured when laws, policies, programmes and actions of the political leadership are circumscribed within the context of citizens’ gratification.
The prioritization of citizenship will, of course, involve the secondary consideration of the following national development imperatives: Where he lives, with whom he co-habits and relates; how best he should live, co-habit and relate; and, the resources that are required to achieve the above imperatives.
The realization of the above imperatives are the essence of statehood and the reason for the modern state. The extent to which the citizen participates in each or all of these processes is what determines national development and greatness. This is why the citizen is the most important element in the nation-building project. Locally, it is citizens that determine the strength and capacity of a nation, while externally, the citizens determine the impression, greatness and relevance of a nation in the global sphere and affairs. National integrity is the effective fusion of these.
The abuse of the concept of citizenship is at the heart of Nigeria’s security crises. Thus, the election by the Nigerian Bar Association to focus on the identity question as a frontline national issue is apt and patriotic. Being the only profession whose members populate the entirety of the judicial organ, which is the most important organ of the Nigerian state, the premium thus paid on this matter, is a commendable act of professional responsibility.
‘Stepping Forward’, as the theme for the 60th anniversary conference and prelude to Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, is an act of social responsibility, which sets a worthy agenda for the Nigerian state.
The citizenship question is one we have either ignored in our nation-building discourses or avoided as a factor. Indeed, citizenship integrity is an indispensable component in nation-building and the sole determinant of a nation’s greatness. The citizen is the one that embodies the national ethics and on whom duties and responsibilities are imposed. It is from among the citizens that leaders are recruited.
The resolution of the citizens’ question is pertinent if we are to make progress with our nation’s building project. Sections 25 -29 of the 1999 Constitution, defines who a Nigerian is naturally and the processes of acquiring Nigerian citizenship. The constitution allows dual citizenship. From the extant constitutional provisions, indigenship of a community indigenous to Nigeria, is a major qualifying threshold for Nigerian citizenship. It is a requirement that presupposes that there are indigenous Nigerian communities and people.
A strong and virile nation is a product of a people with passion and commitment to the nation. They are those class of citizens that have a strong bonding to the state. They are those who can be located in President Muhammadu Buhari’s famous nationalistic statement on December 31, 1983; “We have no country we can call our own”. Such people are to be found and created from within the indigenous Nigerian communities or ethnic nationalities. They are those without any known or existing ties or links to any other nation outside the territory of Nigeria. It will facilitate the redress of our current national predicament where foreign terrorists, bandits and criminal elements take advantage of our porous borders and cultural liberties to migrate into the country and abuse the rights of citizens, rendering them destitute and consigning them to IDP camps. Some of these elements account for genocidal acts, insecurity, inter-communal crises, ethnic cleansing and displacements.
There is need to define who the Nigerian is, or who should be a Nigerian, in the context of his historical, traditional, ancestral and cultural linkage and domicile. To strengthen and validate indigenous citizenship it is necessary to; categorize Nigerian citizenship and prescribe rights, with indigenous citizens being highest; consequently, indigenous communities should be defined, recognized and geographically captured; with the exception of indigenous citizenship, optional citizenship should be made conditional; and, as a variant of fundamental rights of citizens, we should seek to recognize indigenship under the Constitution and make any derogation therefrom justiciable.
The above is imperative in order to catch up with the standards of progressive nations and to apply the extant principles of International Law that assure the protection of indigenous rights and preservation of the interest of aboriginal communities. These are backed by in sundry United Nations Resolutions and the United Nations Charter. With the state of our socio-economic development and socio-political discipline, Nigeria is unripe for dual citizenship.
While it has been tempting to adopt or follow the American dual or multi-citizenship model, it is pertinent to note that Nigeria is naturally a nation-state of indigenous and not emigrant nationalities. In the US, records are kept of the various nationalities. For example, of Asian, Irish, African Americans, Hispanics, etc.
The above have become necessary if we are to discourage opportunistic citizenship. This is to be found in those who take advantage of our ethno-religious and cultural liberalities to infringe on the liberties and rights of citizens and restrict their socio-economic opportunities. The redress of this trend, is at the heart of President Trump’s ‘America First’ policy. As the leader of the new world, America has set the global standard. Toddling at 60, the thematic issue of ‘who is a Nigerian’, at this time offers us opportunity to follow the global lead. There is no room for political correctness and social niceties. It is the way to go. Let’s step and move ahead as we thereby provide leadership for the rest of Africa.
Iyoke Esq., legal practitioner was a delegate at 2014 National Conference.
