The Plateau State Government and the Hausa/Fulani community sharply disagreed over the possible review of the indigeneship clause in the constitution.
While the government said it supports the retention of the indigeneship clause in the Nigerian constitution, the Hausa community said the clause should be removed to give Nigerians equal opportunity wherever they resided.
Plateau has witnessed numerous crises as a result of the agitation by the Hausa/Fulani to be accorded indigenous status in the state.
The position of the state government was presented by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayuba Pam, at the ongoing public debate on constitutional review organised by the member representing Jos East/Jos South, in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, on Saturday in Jos.
Ayuba said, “With regards to the residency and indigene provisions, Plateau supports the status quo. The government strongly favours the retention of the status quo because we cannot run away from our roots. Everyone comes from somewhere and therefore one can only be an indigene of one place.”
However, Secretary of the Council of Ulama, Mohammed Ishaq, who spoke to our correspondent on the issue, canvassed the removal of the indigeneship clause from the proposed new constitution.
He said, “The right of the minority should be taken care of in terms of their cultural practices and religious rights.”
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