Nigeria: The Gathering Storm (3)

1 September 2011
opinion

It is very obvious that those clamouring for the convoking of a sovereign national conference are from a certain part of Nigeria and are mainly from the predominantly Yoruba south-west. It is equally clear that they do not know the country and that is why they are talking of "ethnic nationalities" as the unit of the federation and the basis for representation at the proposed conference. What is the definition of "ethnic nationality"?

How many ethnic nationalities exist in Nigeria and when did they become the unit of the federation? Suppose the south-west brings one representative to the conference to represent the Yoruba and the former Gongola State, now Taraba and Adamawa, brings 104 representatives (because there are 104 ethnic groups there), will they complain of the tyranny of minorities?

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