CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Nigeria’s history is laced with several challenges arising from unresolved national questions which revolve around sensitive national issues like group marginalization, revenue allocation, and politicization of religion, ethnic militancy, terrorism and corruption. But, one of the major manifestations of some of these unresolved problems is the emergence of groups demanding for self determination and political independence such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the South-East. According to Awofeso (2017), the threats of separatist agitations and secessionist movements are not entirely new to Nigerian political space, they have been a regular feature of Nigerian politics, but the dimension they have assumed today is not unconnected to the national question. That is to say that they continued to serve as a veritable tool in the hands of the agitators for the expression of discontents with the Nigerian state, and a platform for demanding adequate political accommodation (Alumona, Azom & Iloh, 2017).
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a separatist group that agitates for self-determination of their people. Studies have shown that agitations of different groups in countries of the world do have effects on the political stability of the countries involved (Shehu, Othman & Osman 2017; Ugo, Ukpere & Ashiwhobel, 2012). The effects on countries may be positive or negative. The way the country is affected will largely depend on the strategies the groups have adopted in their agitations and the nature of government’s responses towards the agitating groups. Every group has its reasons for agitating for self-determination. Ojukwu (1989) argues that self-determination becomes the norm when the right possessed by a group of people to make a choice that works for them concerning the way and by the person they desired to lead them is taken away from them. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are pro-Biafran group that agitates for self-determination from the Nigerian government. The group agitates for self-determination from the Nigerian State for the independence of the Biafra Republic. It is worthy of note that the Republic of Biafra was a secessionist state which existed during the period of Civil War in South-Eastern Nigeria between the period of 30 May 1967 and 15 January 1970 which undoubtedly affected economic activities (Nafziger, 1972). Amnesty International (2016) has submitted that IPOB has utilized its London-based Radio Biafra Station in reaching out to a lot of their dissatisfied youths and that Nnamdi Kanu, being the IPOB leader and the Radio Biafra Director, has made use of the station in reaching out to supporters both within and outside the country. The agitations of IPOB the group and all the strategies used cannot be separated from the political stability of Nigeria. As observed by Obasi (2017), the use of force by President Muhammadu Buhari in responding to the IPOB’s agitations has not been productive as it inflames passion and increases people’s sentiments on separation that may eventually lead to political instability. The Nigerian army’s invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s home happened 24 hours after it announced the commencement of its operation Python Dance (Part Two) in the South-Eastern states (Ogbonnaya-Ikokwu, 2017). The IPOB leader’s home invasion has not brought any peace between the agitators and the Nigerian government. As made known by Adonu (2018), some Biafrans were taken away and killed in cold blood without any cause at the time of September 2017 operation’s Python Dance and they have not been buried until now. Similarly, the rally organized in honor of Donald Trump’s victory resulted into violence leading to 11 deaths and injuries of many (BBC news, 2017). The Nigerian federal government has gone ahead to proscribe IPOB and designate them a terrorist group through a court judgment. According to a report by Scannews (2018), on the 20th of September 2017, Justice Kafarati with an order proscribed IPOB and designated it a terrorist group upon an ex parte application by the attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Declaring the group a terrorist group implies that the group from now will be handled as terrorists by the security forces if they should be found gathering or engaging in any of their activities (Gabriel, Agbakwuru, Yakubu & Agbo, 2017).
One other implication is that anyone found guilty of belonging to IPOB, could be made to serve 20 years in prison when convicted and as provided by section 2 (3) (i) of the terrorism (prevention) acts 2011: a person who belongs to a proscribed organization commits an offence under this Act and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a maximum term of 20 years (Obiejesi, 2018, p.1).
The question that bothers the mind presently is, whether there is a relationship between IPOB’s agitations for self-determination and the responses of the federal government of Nigeria? And then, what are the implications for political stability with respect to the relationship between IPOB’s agitations for self-determination and the responses of the federal government of Nigeria? The present study unravels different ways the Nigerian government has responded to the group (IPOB) on their agitations for self-determination. The study also avails more information on how the agitation of IPOB has affected political stability in Nigeria. The research reveals the different ways the Nigerian government has responded to the group (IPOB) on their agitations for self-determination. Additionally, through this inquiry, contributions are made on how the Nigerian government can be aided in the formulation of policies on how to handle agitating groups and how to ensure that there is a minimal number of agitating groups in the country thereby maintaining political stability in the country.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The formation of non militant organization in Nigeria came as a result of unfairness in the political administration in Nigeria. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a pro-Biafran and a separatist group formed in 2009 by Nnamdi Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The support a group gets or the lack of it definitely affects their success or the outcome of their agitations at the time of agitation. IPOB as a group has their members operating in Nigeria and in Diaspora. They have created awareness on the plight of their people which they have done through the media (Radio Biafra and Television), evangelization, and also in local and international interests by reaching out to International Organisations such as the United Nations (UN). The group is in need of support both from local and Diaspora interests towards their agitations. The group agitates for self-determination from the Nigerian State for the independence of the Republic of Biafra. The agitation for IPOB has caused a lot of political instability in Nigeria. The federal government of Nigeria tag the IPOB as a terrorist group this lead to the killing of most of the IPOB members. The South-East Based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations (SBCHROs) estimates that about 80 members of the pro-Biafra group the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their supporters have been killed by Nigerian security operatives under the directive of the Nigerian government between August 30, 2015 and February 9, 2016. The activities of the IPOB continue to increase; recently there was a state of unrest in Imo State which witnessed the destruction of public properties. The study will try to find out if there is any correlation between non state militant organisation and political instability in Nigeria.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The new research questions are:
- What is the relationship between non state militant organizations and political instability?
- What is the effect of IPOB activities on political instability in Nigeria?
- What are the challenges of IPOB with regards to agitation in Nigeria?
- What are the strategies of the government to mitigate non state militant organizations in Nigeria?
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The study seeks to examine non state militant organisation and political instability in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to:
- determine the relationship between non state militant organizations and political instability
- determine the effect of IPOB activities on political instability in Nigeria
- identify the challenges of IPOB with regards to agitation in Nigeria
- determine the strategies of the government to mitigate non state militant organizations in Nigeria
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study will be of immense benefit to the Nigeria political system and also educate government on ways to curb non militant organization activities and political instability in Nigeria. The findings of the study will proffer solution to the issues of non state militant organisation and political instability in Nigeria. The study will also service as a repository of information to other researchers and students that desire to carry out similar research on non state militant organisation and political instability in Nigeria and also contribute to the body of the existing literature on non state militant organisation and political instability in Nigeria.
1.6 RESEARCH ASSUMPTION/ HYPOTHESIS
H01: there is no significant relationship between non state militant organisations and political instability in Nigeria.
H02: exclusion and marginalisation by the Nigerian government is a major drawback in assuaging IPOB from secession.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study covers on non state militant organisation and political instability in Nigeria with focus on IPOB
1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.
1.9 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
NON MILITANT: not militant or aggressive in support of a political or social cause.
IPOB: The Indigenous People of Biafra is a Biafran separatist organization in Nigeria. Its main aim is to restore an independent state of Biafra in the South East of Nigeria through an independence referendum
SECESSION MOVEMENT: is the withdrawal of a group from a larger entity, especially a political entity (a country), but also any organization, union or military alliance
AGITATION: Agitation is a sense of inner tension and restlessness. When it happens, you may get annoyed easily or feel like you need to move around. It's a normal emotion. But it's more likely to show up when you're under a lot of stress. It can also happen if you use drugs or withdraw from alcohol
SELF DETERMINATION: self-determination is an important concept that refers to each person's ability to make choices and manage their own life. This ability plays an important role in psychological health and well-being. Self-determination allows people to feel that they have control over their choices and lives
