Sa’idu Abdullahi, PhD

Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano

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ABSTRACT

The chapter is qualitative in nature as it relied on secondary data. It was found that it was because of increasing relevance of state in the distribution of resources that intensify process of political competition among diverse ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, making pertinent for the use of ethnic identity to mobilise support for ethnic ascendance to political power. It was found that through this process, the weaker ethnic groups tend to be marginalised and excluded by the strong ethnic group, and this risen animosity and deepen suspicious among the diverse ethnic groups that made up of the Nigerian federal state. Consequently, this aggravate the formation of ethnic inclined association agitating for better political inclusion and sometimes, threats of secession. The situation that further overheating the polity, which endangers the corporate existence of the Nigerian federal state. To ensure the survival of the Nigerian federal state, the paper recommended that ethnic politics should be avoided by ensuring other ethnic groups are accommodating in the running of state’s affairs. It was concluded that the survival of the Nigerian federal state largely dependent on the willingness of the entire ethnic groups to come together and be cemented as one indivisible.

KEYWORDS:

Diversities, Ethnic, Federalism, Political Agitation, Secession

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