Niger Delta Youth Leader Demands Constitutional Justice and Equal Rights for All Ethnic Nationalities in Edo State, Accuses Governor, Government,

By Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka

Niger Delta Youth Leader

The continued complaints by several indigenous ethnic nationalities in Edo State over issues relating to traditional administration, political representation and cultural identity deserve urgent attention from both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

For decades, many minority ethnic nationalities, particularly the Ijaw people in Edo South Senatorial District, have expressed concerns over what they describe as political marginalization, unequal treatment and attempts to impose traditional structures that they believe are inconsistent with their history, customs and identity.

It is alleged that successive administrations in Edo State have, through government policies and recognition processes, favoured one ethnic nationality above others, thereby creating an atmosphere of inequality and deepening ethnic tension. These concerns have repeatedly been raised by affected communities, who argue that every indigenous ethnic nationality should be allowed to preserve and administer its own traditional institutions without external interference.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), guarantees equality before the law. Section 42 prohibits discrimination against any Nigerian on the basis of ethnic group, place of origin or community. Likewise, Section 14(2)(b) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, while Section 17(2)(a) emphasizes that every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law.

Nigeria is a federation built on the principle of unity in diversity. No ethnic nationality should be placed in a position of superiority over another through government action. Every indigenous community has the constitutional right to preserve its culture, customs and traditional institutions in accordance with the law.

The Ijaw people have consistently maintained that they have their own recognized traditional rulers, customs, history and ancestral territories. Consequently, any attempt to subordinate one traditional institution to another against the wishes of the affected community is viewed by many as contrary to the principles of justice, equity and peaceful coexistence.

The Edo State Government is therefore called upon to demonstrate fairness, impartiality and respect for all indigenous ethnic nationalities by ensuring that government policies do not create the impression of ethnic preference or exclusion. Lasting peace can only be achieved where every community feels respected, protected and treated equally.

The Federal Government, the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant institutions are urged to closely monitor developments relating to inter-ethnic relations and traditional governance in Edo State, with a view to promoting dialogue, protecting constitutional rights and preventing any breakdown of law and order.

The Niger Delta has made enormous contributions to Nigeria's economic development. It is therefore imperative that all indigenous peoples within the region are treated with dignity, fairness and equal constitutional protection regardless of their ethnic identity.

The demand of the Ijaw people and other minority ethnic nationalities is not for conflict but for justice, equal recognition, respect for their traditional institutions and faithful adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A peaceful, united and prosperous Edo State can only be built on the foundations of justice, equality, mutual respect and the rule of law.