Indigeneity Debate: Retired Justice Rebuts Ombugadu, Warns Against ‘Exclusionary Narratives’
A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice A. M. Liman, has strongly opposed a recent article by Dr. Frank Peter Ombugadu, describing it as a misrepresentation of arguments around indigeneity and a defence of discriminatory practices.
In a rejoinder, Justice Liman said Dr Ombugadu’s piece, titled “Indigenous Voices, Silenced”, failed to genuinely defend indigenous identity, instead promoting what he called “mischaracterisation, selective historical amnesia, and discrimination”.
The former appellate judge argued that calls for fairness, constitutional rights and an end to divisive rhetoric in Nasarawa North had been wrongly portrayed as attempts to erase indigenous heritage.
Heritage not in dispute:
Justice Liman stressed that no one was denying the cultural identity or historical contributions of ethnic groups such as the Eggon, Mada and others in the region.
However, he warned against what he described as the “weaponisation” of heritage to exclude Nigerians who have long been part of local communities.
According to him, labelling such individuals as “settlers” or “outsiders” based solely on ancestry or surname undermines their rights and contributions.
‘Distortion’ of arguments:
He rejected claims that questioning the indigene–settler divide amounts to erasing identities or forcing assimilation, calling such assertions a “gross distortion”.
Instead, he said the real issue is the belief that only certain paternal lineages qualify individuals as “sons of the soil”, leaving others, despite intermarriage, shared ancestry and lifelong residence, treated as second-class citizens.
Justice Liman noted that even proponents of indigeneity acknowledge the long history of intermarriage and cultural exchange, which he said contradicts notions of ethnic exclusivity.
Historical narrative challenged:
The retired justice also disputed claims of exclusive ancestral ownership of the land predating the 19th-century Fulani Jihad of 1804 led by Usman dan Fodio.
He pointed to oral traditions and historical accounts indicating migration patterns among various ethnic groups, arguing that no community in the area can claim absolute “first-comer” status.
“The land has always been a crossroads,” he said, cautioning against what he termed “political mythology designed to exclude”.
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Constitutional concerns:
Justice Liman maintained that the indigene,.settler divide conflicts with provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, particularly those guaranteeing freedom of movement and protection from discrimination.
He said the practice has, in reality, turned many Nigerians into “perpetual outsiders” despite being born, educated and established within their communities.
Call for inclusive politics:
Addressing concerns about political representation, he referenced the leadership of Abdullahi Sule, noting that debates about inclusion should focus on competence and broad-based support rather than ethnic or religious identity.
He warned that using indigeneity as a political tool risks deepening divisions and could fuel further ethno-religious tensions in Nasarawa State.
Appeal for dialogue:
While acknowledging the importance of preserving cultural identity, Justice Liman cautioned against using it to justify exclusion.
He called for constructive engagement rooted in fairness and national unity, stressing that all citizens should have equal opportunities to participate in public life.
“We can disagree without being disagreeable,” he said, urging stakeholders to prioritise dialogue over rhetoric.
