Lagos State, the commercial hub of Nigeria, has no doubt witnessed the influx of more people than any other state in Nigeria. The availability of wide-ranging opportunities as well as the level of tolerance among Lagosians offers yet another reason for an unending arrival of more Nigerians in Lagos. As a result, the state has become cosmopolitan and diverse in characters. A development that has become manifest in the socio-economic and political transformation of the state. Despite the aforementioned, however, the issues of citizen-strangers, indigenes-settlers clashes have generated conflict and dichotomy in Lagos State since 1967. A fundamental reason is that in Nigeria, Government appointments both at states and federal levels are channels for resources. Thus, the indigenes-settlers conundrums are linked to resources. The reality has elicited social ferment and intense conflict among “Lagosians” particularly in political representations. In addition, the indigenes-settlers sectionalism overrides meritocracy, professionalism and competences in political resources, which the elites often used to manipulate associate groups for personal advantage. The situation has been a source of concerns to Lagosians. It is against this background that this paper examines the issues of citizen-stranger, indigenes and settlers conflict in Lagos, and avers that there should be equality and justice in the distribution of political resources among the different indigenes of the state. The paper also maintains that, merits and competence be sought from all Lagos residence in political appointments and representations to reflect the multiethnic character, which has made Lagos state an enviable model among the 36 states of Nigeria.
Key words: Citizen-stranger, indigene-settler conflict, political resources