Ethnicity and Ideology by Oforma Eze

Ethnicity and Ideology

Ethnic politics only flourishes in the absence of political ideology. Ideology does not know ethnic or religious boundary insofar one held the same belief with others whether he/she is from North, South, East or West does not matter. The unity of many African countries is still under question due to lack of political ideology among many countries which would have positively unit or divide them based on important national issues. This absence of political ideology paves ways to different ethnic hegemonic groups or blocs to emerge with the intent to devour a collective happiness of the people.
Let us use Nigeria as a case study on how ideology can truly unite or divide people and eradicate ethnicism and its tensions. The unity of Nigeria is still questionable unless she finds another thing that will divide Nigerians apart from ethnicity and religious belief.  This is because human beings by nature ought to be divided in order to unite and sometimes to make life interesting. It is only an ideology that can positively divide people base on national issues or national interest for the betterment of the entire citizenry; and for the service of humanity.
For instance, assume now that Nigeria has two major political ideologies namely: Conservatism and Liberalism. And Mr. Eze is a liberal and Mr. Obi is conservative and both are from Igbo extraction and Christians. While Mr. Musa is conservative and Mr. Abubakar is a liberal and both are from Northern ethnic region and Muslims respectively. Research shows that Mr. Eze will definitely identify with Mr. Abubakar who is a liberal more than Obi who is his ethnic brother because Obi is a conservative. In the same way, Mr. Musa will prefer Obi to Abubakar due to their shared ideological belief.
That is when you can see true national unity. That is true national integration. It is not about shouting unity while nothing units north and south. Or telling one to go and marry from another ethnic group.  According to Omotola (2009:615) in absence of ideologies “other forces of identity particularly ethnicity and religion would appear to have taken the place of ideology.”