₦airaland Forum

I recently read a report attributed to Honorable Rotimi Amaechi in which he claimed he does not see himself as a Rivers man but as a Nigerian, and expressed readiness to abolish the state of indigeneship in favour of the state of residency.

To me, this is a desperate attempt to appeal to a small group advocating for the abolition of the state of origin, likely to win their support for his presidential ambition. Still, for the sake of posterity, it deserves a response.

Globally, citizens enjoy rights that come with nationality, but indigenous people have privileges reserved exclusively for them. In Nigeria, citizens have the right to live, work, vote, and do business anywhere, but certain rights remain tied to the indigenous communities of each state. Denying this reality invites needless tension and conflict.

This is not unique to Nigeria. In Spain, Andalusians, Basques, and Catalans maintain their identity regardless of who moves into their regions. Living in Seville does not make you Andalusian; living in Barcelona does not make you Catalan. The same is true in Germany, Australia, China, and elsewhere.

Even the United States protects indigenous rights under laws like Tribal Sovereignty for Native Americans.

The truth? As long as indigenous peoples exist, the concept of the state of origin will remain. Political posturing will not erase history, identity, or the rights tied to them. No politician, however ambitious, can legislate away a people’s roots.

My final words for Amaechi and his likes: A man may change his address, but he cannot change his ancestry.


'Tonye Barcanista

I wonder what makes him think he (being from the minority) will have the absolute power and the majority of the other arms of government to execute such plan.

I believe Amaechi is just after playing to the gallery to win some minds to himself and not serious. Nigeria isn’t anthropologically homogeneous and it will never be.
The country is so volatile now that if any tribe dozes off, the electron microscope won’t be capable of viewing it on the atlas map again.

Tbh ameachi was really speaking incoherently, and out of reality, on that interview

I don't know who is deceiving the guy to think he has a shot at the presidency...

Amotolongbo:
I wonder what makes him think he (being from the minority) will have the absolute power and the majority of the other arms of government to execute such plan.

He wants to be a President and military Head of State at the same time

Lutherblaq:
Tbh ameachi was really speaking incoherently, and out of reality, on that interview

I don't know who is deceiving the guy to think he has a shot at the presidency...

Perhaps, he's deluded

Amotolongbo:
I wonder what makes him think he (being from the minority) will have the absolute power and the majority of the other arms of government to execute such plan.

His minority status seems to be a huge problem for you.

Don't also forget that the economy of Nigeria is sustained by the resources from his minority zone and he holds you by the balls any day and time.

Nigeria can never be one!

One Nigeria only exist in the figment of the imagination of Treasury looters!

TonyeBarcanista:
Perhaps, he's deluded

That's what I was thinking...

See, politicians like ameachi only win elections by arse licking, and that can not win you a presidential seat.

BeardedMeat:
His minority status seems to be a huge problem for you.

Don't also forget that the economy of Nigeria is sustained by the resources from his minority zone and he holds you by the balls any day and time.

Nigeria can never be one!

One Nigeria only exist in the figment of the imagination of Treasury looters!

Is Amaechi proud of his socalled minority status?

Do Nigerians really want the country to work or they want to be diametrically opposed to each other and still be together. It's a decision that needs to be made.

We need to vote to break up the country if we want to hang onto our differences. It's either we collapse these differences and create a new national identity or we keep our differences and break up.

Anything other that is self torture.

Sapiosexuality:
Do Nigerians really want the country to work or they want to be diametrically opposed to each other and still be together. It's a decision that needs to be made.

We need to vote to break up the country if we want to hang onto our differences. It's either we collapse these differences and create a new national identity or we keep our differences and break up.

Anything other that is self torture.

The most appropriate forms of government for societies with diverse indigenous people are regionalism and confederation.

In unity we must recognize our diversities and respect boundaries. Even in the United Arab Emirate, an Emirati from Sharja knows his boundary in Abu Dabi and Dubai. Nothing is absolute!

TonyeBarcanista:
Is Amaechi proud of his socalled minority status?

GTFOOH!

TonyeBarcanista:
The most appropriate forms of government for societies with diverse indigenous people are regionalism and confederation.

In unity we must recognize our diversities and respect boundaries. Even in the United Arab Emirate, an Emirati from Sharja knows his boundary in Abu Dabi and Dubai. Nothing is absolute!

And how how many of these diverse indigenous people are at peace with each other? Is Catalonia and Andalusia not after independence from Spain? Is that how you want to live?

The Emirate example does not hold. They are one people and culturally homogeneous. They are of same faith and hold similar traditional values. We are nothing like that.

We can either be an America or we be India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We can't be India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in America. The final destination of regionalism in a heterogeneous setting is independence.

Sapiosexuality:
And how how many of these diverse indigenous people are at peace with each other? Is Catalonia and Andalusia not after independence from Spain? Is that how you want to live?

Yes! It is the right of people or group to decide whether to stay or live in a union if they decide to. While there are groups in Spain among the ethnic nationalities for Sovereignty, the laws in Spain ensured that everyone enjoys their autonomy, which has ensured relative peace and progress in Spain. Look at UK for instance, did the Scottish or Welsh people lose their identities simply because they are all British?

The Emirate example does not hold. They are one people and culturally homogeneous. They are of same faith and hold similar traditional values. We are nothing like that.

You cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time. Religion and faith are acquired, culture evolves, but ancestry can never be altered. So despite their shared religion and culture, they still recognize and maintain their respective identities. Like I said, an Emirati man from Dubai knows his boundaries in Sharja and Abu Dhabi.

We can either be an America or we be India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We can't be India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in America. The final destination of regionalism in a heterogeneous setting is independence.

I respectfully disagree. One can be an American (US citizen) and still be Yoruba, Ijaw, Igbo or Idoma by ancestry. I can lose my US citizenship, I can denounce my Nigerian citizenship, but I can never lose my Ijaw ancestry because it comes by default.

In America there are laws specifically for natives. In Australia there are laws for Aborigines... Nothing is absolute in life.

Sapiosexuality:
And how how many of these diverse indigenous people are at peace with each other? Is Catalonia and Andalusia not after independence from Spain? Is that how you want to live?

The Emirate example does not hold. They are one people and culturally homogeneous. They are of same faith and hold similar traditional values. We are nothing like that.

We can either be an America or we be India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We can't be India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in America.
The final destination of regionalism in a heterogeneous setting, is independence.

Let's go there!
The bolded is the only concrete step that can make the various tribes in this country, reach their full potential.

I don't know why we take people like Ameachi serious.
I don't know what dull people like him find their ways to the corridors of power.No country in the world like Nigeria aborts the state of origin.We have too many ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Ameachi is garrulous and with low IQ.
I will feel sad when I see people like him making endless attempt to rule a nation like Nigeria.
We've been having wrong people at the helm of affairs since 1999 and I don't know when we will get it right.

Sighs

Even in the UK, a Scottish is different from an English. A Welsh is different from an Irish.

In India, a Punjabi is different from a Gujarat, a Tamil is different from a Malayam.

E.t.c

Replacing State of origin with residence was proposed by Buhari as far back as 2007 or 2011 if I remember correctly.

My interest though is, Tonye whose laptop are you using? Is it Wike or Tilumbu?

TonyeBarcanista:
I recently read a report attributed to Honorable Rotimi Amaechi in which he claimed he does not see himself as a Rivers man but as a Nigerian, and expressed readiness to abolish the state of indigeneship in favour of the state of residency.

To me, this is a desperate attempt to appeal to a small group advocating for the abolition of the state of origin, likely to win their support for his presidential ambition. Still, for the sake of posterity, it deserves a response.

Globally, citizens enjoy rights that come with nationality, but indigenous people have privileges reserved exclusively for them. In Nigeria, citizens have the right to live, work, vote, and do business anywhere, but certain rights remain tied to the indigenous communities of each state. Denying this reality invites needless tension and conflict.

This is not unique to Nigeria. In Spain, Andalusians, Basques, and Catalans maintain their identity regardless of who moves into their regions. Living in Seville does not make you Andalusian; living in Barcelona does not make you Catalan. The same is true in Germany, Australia, China, and elsewhere.

Even the United States protects indigenous rights under laws like Tribal Sovereignty for Native Americans.

The truth? As long as indigenous peoples exist, the concept of the state of origin will remain. Political posturing will not erase history, identity, or the rights tied to them. No politician, however ambitious, can legislate away a people’s roots.

My final words for Amaechi and his likes: A man may change his address, but he cannot change his ancestry.


'Tonye Barcanista

Convoluted logic born out of primitive ha-te and seige mentality. You never disappoint. This is what worries you most in present day Nigeria. Who is ready to drag Bayelsa with you? You're not that important as you think.Pay per thread posters and their sterile propaganda. Nigerias constitution is very clear on how one can contest on any elective positions in any given locality and I think that is enough. Those suffering from cultural inferiority complex and as such see all sorts of potential aggressors in their nightmares, have themselves to blame.

He even mentioned China! What do you know about China? The current President of China has been made party secretary(equivalent of governors in Nigeria) in how many provinces before becoming the president? China is the least place you can use as an example to drive home your petty tr-ibal rant. Make a case for indigenous rights if you want to, but trying to mischievously tie your worn out outburst to a bill that was targeted at political inclusion is simply jejune..

givedemwotowoto:
Replacing State of origin with residence was proposed by Buhari as far back as 2007 or 2011 if I remember correctly.

My interest though is, Tonye whose laptop are you using? Is it Wike or Tilumbu?

Lies.

I suspect you are an expansionist.

raskymonojendor:
Even in the UK, a Scottish is different from an English. A Welsh is different from an Irish.

In India, a Punjabi is different from a Gujarat, a Tamil is different from a Malayam.

E.t.c

Likewise their resources, yeah?
So what are the pipelines from Niger delta doing supplying you oil and gas at Okitipupa?
How much have you paid the Niger Deltans for that?

Amotolongbo:
I wonder what makes him think he (being from the minority) will have the absolute power and the majority of the other arms of government to execute such plan.

I believe Amaechi is just after playing to the gallery to win some minds to himself and not serious. Nigeria isn’t anthropologically homogeneous and it will never be.
The country is so volatile now that if any tribe dozes off, the electron microscope won’t be capable of viewing it on the atlas map again.

He wants to self destruct. The minorities will be the 1st to go or become extinct in such a system of diminishing aboriginal status.

raskymonojendor:
Lies.

I suspect you are an expansionist.

You started following politics today?

https://www.nairaland.com/622569/buharis-manifesto-cherish-most-please

It was even in Buhari/APC 2015 campaign promise: #19:

https://www.thecable.ng/documented-promises-buhari-apc-made-nigerians/


Osinbajo proposed same in 2023:

https://gazettengr.com/osinbajo-wants-fg-to-replace-state-of-origin-with-certificate-of-residence/

owobokiri:
Likewise their resources, yeah?
So what are the pipelines from Niger delta doing supplying you oil and gas at Okitipupa?
How much have you paid the Niger Deltans for that?

Okitipupupa is in Ondo State. Ondo is an oil producing state.

Next.

givedemwotowoto:
You started following politics today?

https://www.nairaland.com/622569/buharis-manifesto-cherish-most-please

Osinbajo proposed same in 2023:

https://gazettengr.com/osinbajo-wants-fg-to-replace-state-of-origin-with-certificate-of-residence/

Osinbajo proposed such. Not Buhari.

Whichever way, it's a dead agenda that will go nowhere in an ethnic nation like Nigeria.

Raskimonojendor:
Okitipupupa is in Ondo State. Ondo is an oil producing state.

Next.

Oil producing state?
Which local governments?
Offshore? Who went to the sea to calculate with you all?
Ijaw oil innit?

Raskimonojendor:
Osinbajo proposed such. Not Buhari.

Stop misleading people. This was part of Buhari’s manifesto way back in 2011

givedemwotowoto:
Stop misleading people. This was part of Buhari’s manifesto way back in 2011

Post the manifesto. Like a news paper publication instead of the Nairaland topic you posted that has zero source.

owobokiri:
Oil producing state?
Which local governments?
Offshore? Who went to the sea to calculate with you all?
Ijaw oil innit?

Ilaje LGA have oil wells in Ondo State.

Ijaws like the Omoyele Sowore are in Ese Odo LGA.

Mr man rest in Jesus name. Your knowledge of Nigerian geography is weak..

Raskimonojendor:
Ilaje LGA have oil wells in Ondo State.

Mr man rest in Jesus name. Your knowledge of Nigerian geography is weak..

Produces how much vis a vis what is quoted for Ondo
Most financial accruals going to Ondo state as an "oil producing state" come from the socalled explorations offshore. The ijaws you all hate to associate with as fellow Omoualabis should claim those, that is if those well lie at the areas they are ascribed to..

One day breeze go blow and all those cooked datas will be laid bare and the generational parasites will be made to walk around na-ked..

owobokiri:
Produces how much vis a vis what is quoted for Ondo
Most financial accruals going to Ondo state as an "oil producing state" come from the socalled explorations offshore. The ijaws you all hate to associate with as fellow Omoualabis should claim those, that is if those well lie at the areas they are ascribed to..

One day breeze go blow and all those cooked datas will be laid bare and the generational parasites will be made to walk around na-ked..

More ignorance.
Omoyele Sowore is as Yoruba as they come even though he is ancestrally ijaw from Ese Odo( foot of the river).
Ps: Ilaje LGA produces more oil than Ese Odo which is the Ijaw LGA.
The ilaje live in seas as well.

Pick up a book and read instead of spending the whole day displaying ignorance on Nairaland.