Minorization of the Majority: The Politics of Ekiti State Creation and the Limits of Homogeneity Thesis in Nigeria

Type Journal Article - The Social Science Journal
Title Minorization of the Majority: The Politics of Ekiti State Creation and the Limits of Homogeneity Thesis in Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 40
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 315-321
URL http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JSS/JSS-40-0-000-14-Web/JSS-40-3-14-Abst-PDF/JSS-40-3-315-1​4-1653-Olaniyan-A-O/JSS-40-3-315-14-1653-Olaniyan-A-O-Tx[3].pdf
Abstract
Studies on intra-ethnic relations among the sub-ethnic groups in Nigeria have observed that allegations
and counter claims of marginalization and domination among the groups within states are rife. In some paradoxical
instances, numerically superior groups allege domination and subjugation by the minorities dominated. This paper,
using the agitation for the creation of Ekiti state as a case study, examines the specter of minorization of the
majority in the struggle for state creation in Nigeria. The study observes that in spite of its superiority in the areas
of demography, education, landmass and homogeneity, Ekiti became marginalized and excluded by the groups who
are in the minority. But no sooner than the state was created for them than in-fighting started. This study examines
the factors contributing to this paradox. Specifically, the paper concludes that numerically superior groups could
become minorities in the context of the latter’s ability to control power or influence power control through
possession of economic resources over the numerical majority a democratic setting. This is what we term “a special
case minority”.

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