It is now clear that the violence-igniting problem in JOS is far from solved. Not after more than 500 were killed again over the weekend in what appeared a sequel to an equally bloody incident in January.
The common denominator in the Jos crisis — as in most sectarian crises in Nigeria — is traceable to the deep inequalities in the society. The elements of religion and geography are just mere facilitators in the conflict.
Jos has been an arena for sectarian and political unrest for a long time; it is frightening that the appetite for blood-letting is increasing each year. Here is an indication of how dangerous Jos and its environ have become lately:
- In 2004, a state of emergency was declared in Plateau State (of which Jos is the capital) after more than 200 Muslims were killed in attacks by Christian militia.
- In November 2008, 340 people were killed when Muslim opposition supporters went on the rampage when they heard their candidate (to head a council) had lost to a Christian.
- In January 2010, more than 200 killed after Christians protested the construction of a mosque in a Christian area, and after Muslim protesters attacked a Catholic church.
It is ironic that this extent of bloody encounters have occurred in Jos, a city which is an acronym for “Jesus our Savior”. Perhaps, the origins of Jos — a former enclave for colonial missionaries, and its geographic location — aptly described by some as a “de facto fault line separating Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north from its mainly Christian south”, is partly responsible for the mishaps. The tensions between the Muslim and Christian blocs have been well demonstrated in regions north of the Niger river. However, the fact remains that the gory events in Jos can be reproduced almost anywhere in Nigeria.
Nigeria is a nation of natives and settlers; the Nigerian constitution even empowers this ethnic affiliation by giving credence to the of “state of origin” status. Any official job posting, local or federal, asks applicants for their states of origin, likewise, political appointments are based on ethnic and state of origin.
This inequality is made even more potent at the state levels, and the crisis in Jos is not immune to the “state of origin” contraption: the Christians are the natives, while the Muslims are the settlers; the natives feel entitled to the largess but not the settlers. The natives feel threatened by the increasing population and prominence of the settlers. The natives are not too keen to share their lands with the settlers, nor offer their hands in partnership on the political tuft. The settlers on the other hand feel cheated, and threatened too, by the natives whom they feel have failed to recognize them politically and socially, despite having co-existed for decades. That the two are on the opposing sides of the religion divide certainly does not help. The cumulative effect of these factors — the aftermath of cultural and societal inequality — is what has been happening in Jos over the years: an intractable bloody violence.
What’s the way out? There is no silver bullet, unfortunately.
Any measure that reduces the inequality gradient, be it economic or political, plus a good dose of providence, would calm nerves.
Millions of executive committees could be commissioned to investigate, and international agencies called in to pontificate and and proffer solutions, but not until the inequalities in the societies are addressed would there be sustainable peace. Bending the inequality curve will demand will power and sincerity from the political lords of the land and sacrifice from the various stakeholders, unfortunately, these are very scarce items in present day Nigeria.
Excellent analysis!
“Bending the curve of inequality” is a great way to solve the problems in Nigeria … not only in Jos! And a tough job too that requires transparency and focus, yes I agree absolutely. What we have yet to figure is using instances as Jos and other crises to study and fix our nation. Instead actions are palliative and devoid of commitment.
Cheers!
March 8, 2010 at 10:55 pm
The most painful thing about this analysis is that it can be reproduced anywhere in the Country, and not merely in Jos. What is the way forward?
http://twitter.com/N4Change
March 8, 2010 at 11:26 pm
The way forward is clear, and stated in the last paragraph.
The way forward will be long and torturous and fraught with challenges, but surmountable with will power and transparency from all parties.
The way forward requires having the right people in the all sectors of the society that will work tirelessly to bring about the riches of freedom and the security of justice to the masses.
March 8, 2010 at 11:52 pm
@ John – Thanks for the kind words.
I think the events manifesting serves as a wake-up call to all, not just the politicians. However, to galvanize positive action there must be a visibly potent leadership…do we have that in place, yet?
Goodluck Jonathan is at an important confluence in our nation’s history — just as IBB did with the Abiola matter, and he blew it — to step up tall and boldly to start the revival of a severally ill nation.
March 9, 2010 at 12:00 am
The way forward is for State Governments around Nigeria to abolish any State of Origin-based discrimination. Certain States have apparently already done so. If you are Nigerian, you should have the right to obtain political office wherever you are. The State of Origin framework is only 30 years old; it should be abolished as soon as possible.
The bigger picture is a multi-layered move to create a stronger sense of Nigerian identity, such that Nigerians see themselves as Nigerians first and their religion/ethnicity second if at all. The school curriculum needs to teach children the positive attributes of all cultures of Nigeria. As for Jos, the community/religious leaders really need to step up to the plate.
There is another practical element to a solution too – Grazing reserves for Fulani herdsmen. This is already being carried out with great success in nearby Kaduna State in a project I am involved in..
March 9, 2010 at 1:03 pm
This is an excellent piece, I came accross this as I was about to write a piece on this whole Jos fiasco. Do you mind if I use your article?
I did not know that Jos was an acronym, that says alot. I wonder how many people have to die before they get their act together. I have been to Jos several times and I know a number of people that are originally from Jos, and the elite there is 90% hausa/muslim, so its not hard to wonder why they resent them. Why the non-indigenes resent them is hard for me to fathom.
It all boils down to poverty, education and reducing the gap between the socio-economic classes.
March 9, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Jeremy – I’m in 100% agreement with you. If the ‘state of origin status’ would be abolished, so also appointment to federal jobs and offices. These would require iron-clad will power from Aso Rock and the folks at the federal assemblies, and perhaps at the state levels too. I will be shocked if this happens…or if the Abuja lords even have the insight to start talking about this!
Miss B – Use the article on your blog; thanks for the compliment.
March 9, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Good write up. Never knew JOS’ an acronym. Hmm… No wonder the tension. Now, the question, what’s the solution to all of these?
There is no easy solution except a divine one. In a nation where the leadership is in apathy and everyone is doing what they like… why won’t her masses lose control? May God help us.
March 9, 2010 at 7:38 pm
90 percent of the elites in Jos are Hausas? Give me a break! Have you even been here? Do you know our history or how the middle belt movement began? When you have a group which uses access to Federal wealth and influence, which is oil driven, to displace minorities, you want the latter to be passive? Do you even know why America, Canada and Australia treat minority aboriginal groups as sovereign tribal nations? And what makes Nigeria any different? Miss B, you are really clueless…
April 1, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I have lived in Jos for more than 21 years. I have worked as a Lawyer/Pastor all these years. Now, I have to leave. The Jos crisis was triggered by three things, amongst others. The first is the desire of the minority Hausa-Fulani Muslims to make Jos home in defiance of the natives. The constitution of Nigeria acknowledges that everyone has a place of origin.Some of the Hausa-Fulani who claim Jos as home may not know their places of origin, but they cannot forcibly make Jos their home. My family settled in another part of the country about 100 years ago. That does not make me an indigene of that place. Every African takes pride in his roots. Why not the Muslims? The second thing that triggered the crisis was the creation of an arbitrary Local Government Area by IBB in 1994 to favour the Hausa-Fulani and make home for them in Jos. The third, is religious. The Fulanis have their homes in the Nothwest and some part of the North East. The Hausas have the Hausa Barkwai and the Hausa Banza. The Jos plateau is not one of either.
By the way Elites in Jos both natives and settlers are mainly Christians.
April 14, 2010 at 3:32 pm
You make an interesting statement:
“My family settled in another part of the country about 100 years ago. That does not make me an indigene of that place.”
I ask why not? 100years is at least two generations, are you saying that should not qualify you as an indigene?
This, as the writer conveys, is one of the problems in Nigeria, the so-called ‘state of origin’ status.
April 14, 2010 at 7:11 pm