MILITARY APPROACH AND BIAFRA INCESSANT SECESSIONIST AGITATION IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: EXPLORING THE POTENCY OF INDIGENOUS CONFLICT MECHANISM

Mustard S. Uzu, Eyitayo Adewumi (PhD)

Abstract


The paper examines the potency of indigenous conflict management in curbing incessant Biafra secessionist agitations in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. It explores the mechanisms or approaches Nigerian government has used overtime in combatting Biafra agitation since its inception in 1967. The objective is to probe the effectiveness of indigenous approach of conflict management in curbing Biafra secessionist agitation and to project reasons military responses to Biafra secessionist agitation would not curb the separatist movement. The paper adopted phenomenology design and data collected were thematically presented and content analyzed. Just War Theory was used to underpin the paper. The paper found that the incessant Biafra secessionist agitations in Nigeria’s fourth Republic are influenced by unresolved National question, such as marginalization of the Igbos in Nigerian government and chiefly the use of military force in combating Biafra secessionist agitations by Nigerian government. The paper therefore, suggested indigenous conflict resolution as means of curbing the question of Biafra secessionist agitation in Nigeria. The paper concluded that military approach to Biafra secessionist agitation created more resentment and triggers the separatist movement. Negotiation with the secessionist leaders through their traditional rulers was discovered to be one of the possible means for curbing Biafra secessionist agitation.


Keywords


Military Approach, Biafra Secessionist Agitation, Nigeria’s fourth Republic, and Endogenous Conflict Mechanism

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abia, V. B.E. (2006). Understanding Nigerian government and politics. Edition 2rd.

Lagos. Geofaflesh Publication Ltd.

Achebe, C. (2012). There was a country: A personal history of Biafra. London: Penguin

Books.

Adekanye, J, B. (2007). Terrorism and globalization: How should the international

community respond? An African perspective linking conflict diagnosis,

conflict prevention, and conflict management in contemporary Africa:

selected essays Lagos, Ibadan; Ababa Press, Center for Gender, Governance

and Development.

Adibe, J. (2017). Separatist agitations in Nigeria: The way forward. Africa Focus.

Retrieved https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2017/07/17/separatist-agitations-in-nigeria-the-way-forward/3rd September 2018.

Adibe, J. (2016). Biafran separatist in Nigeria: Cause, trajectories, scenario sand the

way forward. Centre for Democracy and development. 5(1), 4-13. Retrieved from Journal of West African Insight database.

Adibe, J. (August 20, 2017). Obasanjo’s Biafra solution DalyTRUST

Adibe, J. (2016, January 20). Nigeria: January 15, 1966 and After-we remember

differently. Daily Trust, (back page).

Adibe, J. (2012). Nigeria without Nigerians? Boko Haram and the crisis in Nigeria’s

Nation-building. Retrieved 8/4/2018

Akinyetun, T. (2018). Intricacies and paradoxes: Federalism and secessionism in

Nigeria, the case of Biafra Agitation. Discovery, 54(265), 29-45.

Alagoa, E. J. (1998). Conflict management: Traditional models from precolonial times

to the present in the South-South Zone. Paper presented at the South-South Zonal Conference on Peaceful Co-existence in Nigeria, Organized by the Centre for Peace Research and Conflict Resolution, National War College Abuja, September. P.3.

Alao, D, O. (2015). Interrogating the involvement of native gods in contemporary

Africa conflict management. Global Journal of politics and Law Research,

(3).75-71. Retrieved from www.eajournal.org 3rd September 2018.

Anyaele J.U. (2003). Comprehensive government for secondary schools. Lagos. A

Johnson Publishers Limited.

Asomba, I. (2015, October18). Radio Biafra direct, NnamdiKanu reportedly arrested.

Vanguard Nigeria news.

Awofeso, O. (2017). Secessionist movements and the national question in Nigeria: A

Revisit to the quest for political restructuring. Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 2(7), 35-55.

Ayo, S. (2002). Public administration and conduct of community affairs among the

Yoruba of Nigeria. California. ICS Press.

Ayokhai, F. E. F.& Peter, N, W. (2016). Fiscal federalism, ethnic minorities and

national question in Nigria: Revisiting the case of Niger Delta people. inAfrican research review, an international multi-disciplinary journaryethiopia vol10(3) serial no 42 pg: 246-260.

Ayokhai, F. E. F. (2010). National Integration and democratic governance in Nigeria:

Historical reflections on the Niger delta question, 1999 – 2009. In Mangut, J. &Egbefo, D. O. (Eds.). The fourth republic and national integration in Nigeria, 1999 – 2009. Makurdi, Nigeria: Aboki Publishers, Pp. 22 – 39.

Bates, R. H. (1974). Ethnic competition and modernization in contemporary Africa.

Comparative Political Studies6 (4):457-84.

Boege, V. (2006). Traditional approaches to conflict transformation-potentials and

limits.berghofreseach center for constructive conflict management. Retrieved from http://www.berghof-handbook.net 3rd September 2018.

Brock-Utne, B. (2001). Indigenous conflict resolution in Africa. A draft presented

to week-end seminar on indigenous solutions to conflicts held at the University

of Oslo, Institute of Educational Research, Pp 23 –24.

Bukari, K, N. (2013). Exploring indigenous approaches to conflict resolution: The

case of the Bawku conflict in Ghana. Journal of Sociological Research, 3(2), 1948-5468. Doi:10.5296/jsr.v4i2.3707.

Choundree, R.G.B. (1999). Traditional conflict resolution in South Africa. African

Journal of Conflict Resolution, 1(1), 40-65.

Dasuki, I. (1988). Report of white paper on local government reforms in Nigeria,

Lagos. Federal Government Printing Press.

Duruji, M. M. (2012). Resurgent ethno-nationalism and the renewed demand for Biafra

in South-Identities, 14(4), 329-350.

Enyi, J, E. (2014). Nigeria’s fourth republic-democratic or civil rule. arabian

Journal of Business and Management Review (Nigerian Chapter) Vol. 2.NO.2, 2014.

Estelle, S. (2006-07-12).Dream of free Biafra revives in southeast Nigeria.

Ezeani, E. (2016). In Biafra african died the diplomatic plot. (Edition 3rd ). London.

Veritas Lumen Publisher.

Friends of Biafra International (May 27, 2018). 30th May Biafra memorial: Timeline of

genocide against the ndigbo?biafrans in nigeria by african herald express.

Hechter, M. (1975). Internal colonialism: the celtic fringe in British national

development,. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. 1536-1966.

Horowitz, D, L. (2003). The cracked foundations of the right to Secede. Journal of

Democracy 14 (2003):5-17.

Horowitz, D, L. (2000). Ethnic groups in conflict. Berkeley, Calif.: University of

California Press.

Horowitz, D. L. (1981). Patterns of ethnic separatism.Comparative Studies in Society

and History23:165-95.

Kwaku, O., &Morena, J, R., (n.d). Indigenous conflict resolution in Africa: The case

of Ghana and Botswana. University of Botswana. Retrieved June 11th 2018 fromhttps://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/heiwa/Pub/E29/e29-3.pdf

Linda, I. Nigeria (23 November 2015). Photos: Supporters of pro-Biafran leader

NnamdiKanu storm Abuja court. Lindaikijisblog.com.

Mandal, C. (2009).The challenge from within: A multilevel analysis of ethnic

separatistdemands. University of Bergen, Department of Comparative Politics.

Mbagwu, J, U. (2017). Beyond military force as strategy for countering terrorism in

Nigeria: A Handbook, Express Image Limited Lagos.

Murithi, T. (2006). Practical peacemaking wisdom from Africa: Reflections on Ubuntu.

The Journal of Pan African Studies, 1(4): 25-34.

Nbf, (20011, August 30). Jonathan order release of Uwazuruike, MASSOB members

from detention. Retrieved from Ntv the Nigerian Voice.

Ndumbe III, K. (2001). The spiritual dimensions of resolution mechanisms in African

countries.University of Oslo, Unit for comparative and International Education, Institute for Educational Research, Retrieved 23/02/01 fromwww.africavenir.org/.../NdumbeSpiritualDimensionConflictPrevention_04.pdf

Njoku, L. (11 spetember2017). Confusion trails alleged soldiers invasion of Nnamdi

Kanu’s residence

Njoku, L. (2017). Confusion trails alleged soldiers invasion of NnamdiKanu’s

Residence. Retrieved from Guardian, Nigerian News.

Nwolise, O. B. C. (2005). Traditional modes of bargaining and conflict resolution in

Africa. In I. A. Olawale (Ed.), Perspectives on peace and conflict studies in

Africa, (Pp: 152–168) John Archers Publishers Ltd, Ibadan.

Odoemene A. (2012). Remember to forget. In C. J. Korieh (Ed.), The Nigeria-Biafra

War Genocide and the Politics of Memory. Cambria Press, New York.

Ofuoku, A. (2009). The Role of community development committees in farmer

herder conflicts in central agricultural zone of Delta state, Nigeria. Journal of

Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences, 1(3), 921-937.

Ojibara I. I. (2016). Biafra: Why Igbo want to secede,International Journal of

Humanities &Social Studies, 4(9):11-15

Ojibara, I, I. (2016). Biafra: Why Igbo want to secede. Arabian Journal of Business

and Management Review, 4(1): 53-60

Ojo, J. S. (2014). Prebendalism, socio-linguistic and ethnic politics: The bane of

Nigerian democracy.(5.1), 1-23. Okoye, .S. (2005).Nigeria World.

Okojie, O, S. (2012). Between secession and Federalism:The indepependence of south

sudan and the need for a reconsidered Nigeria. Global Business and Development Law Journal, 26(2) 415-474

Olaniyi, A, J. (2017). The role of traditional rulers in conflict resolution in Nigeria.

In E. C. Ogbonna (Ed.), Discusses on Peace and Conflict in Nigeria an International Approach (pp.211-224). Emaphine Reprographic Limited, Lagos.

Phillips, D, T., (2000). Martin Luther King, Jr. on leadership: Inspiration and wisdom

for challenging times.Warner Business Books.

Prushant, A. S. (2013). Qualitative research designs: A conceptual framework.

International Journal of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Research, 2(1), 118-124

Pkalya, R., Adan, M &Masinde, I. (2004). Indigenous democracy; Traditional

conflict resolution mechanisms. Kenya: Intermediate Technology Development Group.

Ralph, U. (2008). Principles of non-violence vanguard, Nigeria (24 November 2015).

"Biafra: Transfer me to prison custody, Kanu begs court". vanguardngr.com.

Ralph, U. (2008). Principle of non-violence Sarah Brosdie (1999) Aristotle Elusive

SummumBobum.https://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/objects/files/2014/05/Broadie.pdf. Retrieved 11/4/2018 Retrieved 11/4/2018

Saideman, S. M., & R. W. Ayres. (2000). Determining the causes of irredentism: Logit

analyses of minorities at risk data from the 1980s and 1990s. Journal of Politics 62(4):1126-44.

Sahara Reporters, New York (14 November 2015). NnamdiKanu's Lawyer Issues Statement on DSS And Efforts To Release Him From Detention". saharareporters.com. Retrieved on June 3rd 2018.

Morgen, S. (2016). The Biafra question: Sifting facts from sentiments, a critical

assessment of the support for and viability of an independent Biafran State in 2016.Retrieved fromhttps://www.sbmintel.com on June, 3rd 2018.

Sjoberg, L. (2006). Gendered realities of the immunity principle.international

studies Quarterly (2006):2016

Sorens, J. (2005). The cross-sectional determinants of secessionism in advanced

democracies. Comparative Political Studies38 (3):304-26.

Uguru, H. (19 October 2015).Nigerian intelligence arrests Biafra separatist leader

Yahoo. News. Retrieved June 3rd 2018.

Ujumadu, V. (2015).Buhari’s appointments has shown his hatred for Igbo-Ohaneze,

Vanguard, July 30.

Uwa, G. O., Balogun, A, &Adenegan, T. S. (2013). Ethnicity and identity crisis:

Challenge to national integration in Nigerian. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 16(4), 79-86.

Uwechue, R. (2004). Reflections of Nigerian civil war: facing the future,

Bloomington: Trafford Publishing.

Wole, S. (2015). Biafra agitation: Prof Wole Soyinka calls for more diplomacy’,

Channels News, available at: . Retrieved 11/4/2018.

Zartman, (n.d.). Traditional cures for modern conflicts. African Conflict Medicine.

Boulder,CO: Lynne Rienner, 153–165.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.