Former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang, has opposed a recent court ruling granting indigeneship to Hausa residents in Jos North Local Government Area based on their birth and long-term stay in the state.
An Appeal Court in the state had in a judgment last week, delivered by Justice C. Donglong, declared that an Hausa person born and raised in Jos North LGA is an indigene of the area, effectively putting an end to the lingering debate which has often pitted the Hausa people against natives who see them as settlers.
The ruling was a result of a suit filed by two applicants, Fatima Baba Akawu and Baba Alhaji Akawu, against the council over the denial of an indigene certificate to the first claimant.
The applicants had approached the court to decide on four issues, including whether Akawu, by virtue of her birth in Jos North LGA to a father who is a bonafide indigene of that area, is entitled to be recognized as an indigene and to be issued a Certificate of Indigene, notwithstanding her Hausa ethnic origin.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the elder statesman described the ruling as one with serious implications for the state’s identity, cultural heritage, and indigenous rights, and one that could potentially allow non-indigenes in the state to obtain indigene certificates and claim indigeneship.
While roundly condemning the judgement, the former governor said debates surrounding citizenship, residency, and indigenship in Plateau State
have remained at the center of political and social discussions for decades, and wondered why the court should hastily decide on a matter that could further heighten tension.
He stressed that altering the existing framework could create tensions and undermine the rights of groups that have traditionally been recognized as indigenous to the state.
According to Jang, indigene certificates are historically linked to communities and ethnic groups recognized as the original inhabitants of Plateau State and should not be granted solely based on long-term residence.
“Indigene certificates are historically linked to communities and ethnic groups recognized as the original inhabitants of Plateau State and should not be granted solely based on long-term residence,” he said.
Jang further argued that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful activities anywhere in the country, such rights should not automatically translate into indigene status, which he said carries unique cultural and historical significance.
“Yes, every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful activities anywhere in the country, but such rights should not automatically translate into indigene status.
“Preserving the distinction between residents and indigenes is necessary to protect the interests, heritage, and political representation of indigenous communities,” Jang noted.
The former Senator, however, advised policymakers and stakeholders to carefully consider any proposed changes relating to indigene certificates to avoid unintended consequences.
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