The demand for the registration of non-indigenes is totally unacceptable. It makes nonsense of the concept of nationhood. In addition it does not aid the effort of achieving peaceful co-existence in a culturally and ethnically diverse country.
The federal government is to be commended for coming out hard against the idea. In a proper federal set-up, the federating units actually have considered reasons to undertake a census of their own indigenes. For demographic computation, this will facilitate the statistical exactitude necessary for development planning and projections.
What is dangerous is profiling, which will sow the seeds of discord. Most states sensibly and commendably do not discriminate against non-indigenes. All residents and especially tax payers are entitled to the same amenities and should be availed of the same opportunities. This facilitates national integration down to the unit level.
The illogical conclusion of this sort of framework is to have a soviet-era type policy of internal visas. This means that people will have to obtain visa to move from one part of their own country to another. This totally negates the concept of nationhood.
If there is any sort of micro-profiling necessary, this is best left to the intelligence forces that are equipped for such matters. It is true that the times are dangerous. Nevertheless, there is no need to wander into tortuous waters, thereby foregoing the gains already made in national integration and throwing away the baby with the bath water.
