Should Igbo Lagosians Be Allowed to Govern Lagos

Should Igbo Lagosians Be Allowed to Govern Lagos?

A recent news report published in the Sun News, Online edition of March 2nd 2011, sparked an internet debate on the issue of whether Nigerians resident in states outside their biological states of origin can vote and be voted for in their adopted states of residence. Oh well, the issue was not really whether Nigerians can vote outside their states of origin, but whether Nigerians can be voted for, outside their states of origin. Nigerians of various tribes and ethnic divide reside and pay taxes in various Nigerian communities and or states that differ from their biological states of origin. Somehow, these Nigerians are not regarded as indigenous enough in such places, even when they reside permanently and pay taxes in such adopted places. In Nigeria, residing and paying taxes in a state outside one's state of origin, is not enough to make one acceptable or ethnic enough to vie for political office in such places. In recent time, with democracy, modernization and globalization influencing the perspective of Nigerians on issues; Nigerians living in far flung areas of the country, especially in communities that they have adopted as their new homes, are now clamoring for recognition vis a vis political offices in their adopted places of residence within the Nigerian state. Reproduced hereunder is a key portion of the News report that sparked this debate.

"The Lagos State chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has listed conditions for which it would endorse the candidacy of the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola in the April 16, governorship election. Speaking after an emergency general meeting of the association yesterday in Lagos, the President, Chief Oliver Akubueze said after due consultations with other Igbo socio-cultural organizations, market associations and town unions, they came to an agreement that Fashola shouldappreciate the contributions Igbos are making towards the development of the state and should reciprocate it by carrying them along in the scheme of things in the state. According to the president, it was agreed that more Igbos should be appointed commissioners in his cabinet as well as into boards of parastatals and agencies in the state. According to him, Ndigbo in Lagos are full of praises of Fashola’s first term in office and agreed that he deserves another term. However, he said the governor should ensure that Ndigbo is not left behind in the scheme of things going by the large number in the state as well as their contributions to the development of the state. I also want to make it clear that these are the conditions to endorse Fashola as an individual candidate but not his party."

Unfortunately the reporter or his editor gave the news report an attention grabbing headline that drew the ire of many internet warriors, especially in the Nigerian Village Square. However this writer is aware that this debate is bigger than the current demand of some progressive Lagos based, Igbos groups, to be allowed to lead Lagos state; based on the twin planks of residency and taxation. All Nigerian ethnic nations are comfortable with the drilling of crude oil from Delta state and the other oil producing states in the South South zone of Nigeria, and sharing the proceeds from the sale thereof. However, same ethnic nations conveniently forget that equity demands that just like crude oil from the Niger Delta is indigenous Nigerian oil; a Niger Deltan should also be seen as an indigene of Nigeria, who can vote and be voted for, in any place within the geo political entity, known as Nigeria.

I remember Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, once won an election in Lagos, before tribal politics set in. The Gambari family ruling Yoruba Ilorin are Fulanis. A Yoruba man should be able to contest election in Edo, Enugu or Kaduna state and be allowed to run the state if he wins. An Igbo man should be able to contest for the office of Governor of Ogun, Sokoto or Bayelsa state and be allowed to run the state if he wins. A Zamfara man should be able to contest election in Ondo, Akwa Ibom or Plateau state and be allowed to run the state, if he wins.

Well, well, well. I am not naive about the inherent and or internal political dynamics that would attempt to make such profound ideals, mere fantasies. Thing is, we must start somehow, from somewhere. Yes we have deep seated tribal affiliations and even deeper ethnic allegiances. However, we must start from somewhere. Nigeria is not a country of immigrants, like the United States of America. Then again, just like the United States of America, Nigeria is a country of human beings. Hiding behind the "indigene" factor to deny some Nigerian residents their right to be voted for, is not acceptable. All well meaning Nigerians must weigh in and denounce the practice of regarding Nigerians as aliens in Nigeria . No Nigerian community is free of this element of retrogression. The practice is one of those things that reminds us all, that the Nigerian society is still a third world country, after all.

There is something very psychologically improper about a man living all his life with his family in a place; while setting up businesses and paying taxes in the same place; only to find out, that he is not an indigene after all; when he aspires to be voted for. Joseph was an Israelite, resident in Egypt. Yet the Egyptians had no problem accepting him as their Prime Minister. Daniel was a Jew, residient in Babylon. The Babylonians accepted Daniel as one of the highest ranking state officials in Babylon. Now, why can't some Nigerians in the 21st century adapt and learn to accept Nigerians, who have adopted their communities, as residents cum indigenes for every intent and every purpose.

Democracy in essence is about the majority providing leadership, in other words, the control of the apparatus of government by the majority. Thus, every group wants to forever remain the majority group. According to the story under review; some Igbos resident in Lagos now believe that currently, they are in majority in Lagos. The right question to ask is, whether this assertion is true. If it is true that the Igbos are now in majority in Lagos, then they would naturally want to organize themselves into one solid and formidable political unit to enable them mobilize, gather political momentum, win the recognition of all relevant groups in Lagos, attract helpful political partners and thrust themselves into a proper position of power and influence in Lagos. By so doing, the larger corporate and individual Igbo interests will be protected and secured in Lagos. Then again, the Igbos do not need to be in majority inn Lagos to seek to protect their corporate and individual interests through the instrumentality of state and political power in Lagos.

Nigeria is now a democracy. Trust me, whether we like it or not, these things will keep happening, all over Nigeria. With time, the Yorubas will become the majority ethnic group in some Nigerian communities, outside Yorubaland and the Hausas too will become the majority in certain areas outside their traditional areas of origin. New majorities will keep emerging, all over Nigeria. Now we know, why the European Americans running the show in the state of Arizona, in the United States, are violating the principles of federalism and attempting to pass immigration laws to check the influx of Latinos from Mexico and other Central and South American countries into Arizona. Nobody wants to be reduced to a minority. Everybody wants to be in the majority. In the city of Los Angeles, European Americans have been reduced to a minority group by the ever increasing Latino population. Guess what ? The Latinos have harnessed that new majority platform. Today, the Mayor of Los Angeles is Anthony Villa-Ragoisa, a Latina. That is how these things work.

Another factor that determines control of power in a pro capitalism democracy, is the issue of who controls the economy. The Jews dominate business in Las Vegas, and today, the Mayor of Las Vegas is Mr. Goodman a Jew; the Jews control business in Chicago, and today, the Mayor of Chicago is Mr. Rahm Emanuel a Jew; the Jews dominate business in New York city, and today, the Mayor of New York is Mr. Bloomberg, a Jew. The Ibos control the Lagos economy. Has anybody ever considered the amount of money, paid into the Lagos state treasury, as taxes by Igbos and Igbo businesses ? Now, why won't the Ibos desire to control the power apparatus of Lagos ? He who pays the piper dictates the tune, you know. Now let's be real. When you have invested so much in a place. Next thing, you want political power to protect yourself and your investment. The Igbos are no exception.

Then again, Lagos as a geo political space, originally zoned by the federal government of Nigeria, as a federal capital territory, just like Abuja have grown into major a world class metropolis. Naturally, you would expect such agitations or deft political maneuverings in Lagos. Like this writer has made clear already, such is always the fate of metropolis all over the world. The desire of some Lagos based politicians of Igbo extraction, who are now beginning to argue for the right of the Igbos to produce a Governor of Lagos, or at least nominate some commissioners will resonate and ricochet in other states all over Nigeria. The real issue that every right thinking Nigerian must pay attention to, is the recognition of the right of every ethnic political group to operate in any part of Nigeria as an equal partner on a level playing field.

That this debate is even occurring at this time, is a manifestation of the beauty of democracy. There are Yorubas in Eastern Nigeria and in Northern Nigeria. There are Hausas in Western Nigeria and in Eastern Nigeria. Nigerians from minority ethnic groups are scattered all across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria; just like Nigerians from the majority ethnic nations are scattered all across the minority ethnic nations of Nigeria. Nigerians who live in ethnic communities that are alien to them biologically, usually own properties in such places, pay taxes in such places and reside in such places permanently. Often time, they marry in such host communities and are fully integrated into such communities. It is therefore unfair and inappropriate for such persons to be regarded as non indigenes, when it's time for political considerations. Funny enough, many persons considered as non indigenes are usually awarded chieftaincy titles, by their host communities; yet seen as non indigenes, when it comes to time for political largesse and the consummation of the spoils and cosmetics of power.

As Nigeria is growing in modernity, and as more Nigerian cities are becoming world class metropolis; one can safely predict that in the very near future, even persons from other continents will start to vie for political offices in Nigeria. Yes, the Chinese and the Lebanese will soon be vying for the office of the Governor of Lagos state.