Ethnic Politics In Nigeria

pixabay

Politics According to Oxford Dictionary is the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power.

In countries with good political atmosphere, political positions and offices is mostly by meritocracy,that is,selecting the most qualified candidate for a position or office not minding the candidate's cultural and religious background.

But in ethnic politics as practiced in Nigeria, electing people into political offices,like the office of the president, admitting students into tertiary institutions is highly tribalized. For instance, during the period of writing entrance examination into the country's Universities, students from certain ethnic groups are first considered for admission even when their performance in the exam is poor

During the national elections of the country,the larger ethnic groups often vote for the unqualified candidates as far as he or she shares the same ethnic and religious background with them.

This practice has long being hindering development in Nigeria,as those who are elected to lead are not competent,but they occupies strategic positions in the country simple because of they ethnic groups and religion affiliation.

This practice does not only promote domination of small ethnic groups by the larger ones,it also paves way for exclusion of minor ethnic groups from participating in governance of the country at the federal level.

Apart from inter-ethnic conflicts, there are also intra-ethnic conflicts among these major ethnic groups and other allied minority ethnic groups resulting from unending political manipulation, manoeuvrings, calculations and permutation.

If Nigeria most be great and free from corruption and all forms of malpractice, it most uproot ethnic based politics and appointments,as no country divided along ethnic and religious lines ever attain greatness.