ETHNICITY AND THE NATIONAL QUESTION

Abstract

Nigeria is still a house divided against itself. Ethnic mistrust and tension run high, tribal loyalty remain stronger than national loyalty. Ethnic problems have not only persisted but in some cases, intensified leading to meaningful suggestions in some quarters that the country should be broken up into two or three parts. This paper examines the nature of ethnicity in Nigeria, how it has affected and negated national development. The study observed that Nigeria is multi-ethnic and the inter-play of this ethnic factor has created more obstacles to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation. Consequently, politics by its nature and character constitutes a democratic structure capable of engendering stable development which is at the center of national question. This study analyses the need for democratic consolidation because of its volume impact of ethnic politics on national development. The problematic nature of ehnicism and its negative effect on nation-building is explained with elite pluralist theory. The study relies on analytical concepts and secondary source of data. The study recommends among others that political education and training are vital in creating a new social order and also the crisis of national integration needs to be solved before political parties should be allowed to appear.