IDENTITY POLITICS: AN ANALYSIS OF ITS MANIFESTATION AND CONSEQUENCES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Identity politics which connotes the consideration of certain socio-economic and political traits in the struggle for power, has long been rooted in Nigerian political space. However, most of Nigerian scholars view the aggressive nature of identity politics in the country as a spill over of the consequences of British tactics of divide and rule' during the days colonial administration. In line with this, this paper intends to look at identity politics, its manifestation and consequences in Nigeria. The research uses secondary data, and content analysis for effective data collection and analysis. The research adopts Group theory to support its arguments. The findings reveal that, identity politics manifests boldly visible in Nigerian politics, and has been a root cause to many ethno religious conflicts, sit-tight syndrome among political leaders, threat to Nigerian dream for democratic Consolidation, and so forth. Finally, the paper recommends that, through ethno religious tolerance, leadership development, infrastructural development and economic growth, and robust legal system etc, the negative effects of identity politics in Nigeria can be transformed.