Governance challenges and resurgence of Igbo nationalism in Nigeria: Dissecting Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v2i2.1443
Published: May 25, 2023

Abstract:

Purpose: The remote and immediate causes of the Nigerian civil war are rather deepening in the psyche of Ndi-Igbo in contemporary Nigerian politics and administration. Amidst the introduction of the Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation (3Rs) policy over four (4) decades ago, the Ndi-Igbo are not just marginalized but alienated and separated from political power and its benefits in an ethnically and religiously deeply divided federation. More divesting wounds are flagrantly being inflicted upon the Igbo nation. The course pursued by secessionist Biafra between 1967-70 has continued to resonate in Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This paper thus seeks to dissect the activities of IPOB in relation to national security in Nigeria. It also attempts a polemical analysis of IPOB as a separatist movement and the implications for the integration of Ndi-Igbo into the mainstream of Nigerian power politics.

Research methodology: The paper adopts a qualitative research approach using an in-depth review of extant literature for informed comprehension of the dynamics of secession and unification in a deeply divided federal state of Nigeria. Using a theory of Secession: The Case for Political Self-Determination, the paper submits that treatments being meted out to the people of Igbo nation are compelling to separation.

Results: It surmised that Ndi-Igbo is systematically sidelined and alienated from major political positions and that the allocation of key values is skewed against the Igbo nation. It thus recommends significant devolution of powers to foster an all-inclusive and participatory governance model.

Recommendations: It also recommends the adoption and implementation of a balanced federalist accommodative principle for national cohesion, integration, and development of the Nigeria state.

Keywords:
1. Ndi-Igbo
2. Federalism
3. National Cohesion
4. Separatist Movement
Authors:
1 . Godwin Onu
Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
2 . Amobi P. Chiamogu
Department of Public Administration, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1745-2591
3 . Uchechukwu P. Chiamogu
Department of Public Administration, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7128-0033
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How to Cite
Onu, G. ., Chiamogu, A. P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2023). Governance challenges and resurgence of Igbo nationalism in Nigeria: Dissecting Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(2), 133–145. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v2i2.1443
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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2022): July
Articles
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References

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    Udenze, C., Anih, J., Eme, O. I., & Okeke, M. I. (2021). Buhari Presidency and His Federal Character “Virus”: An Exposition of the Composition of the Federal Character Commission Board. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research, 9(3), 174-188.

    Ugorji, B. (2017). Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB): A revitalized social movement in Nigeria. International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation.

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  2. Aboekwe, M. E. (2019). Leadership crisis in Nigeria: Theological study of John 10: 11-15. OGIRISI: a New Journal of African Studies, 15(1), 109-122.
  3. Adibe, J. (2017). Separatist agitations in Nigeria: Causes and trajectories. Africa in Focus, 12.
  4. Akingbe, N. (2022). Has this house fallen? Fragile nationhood and the Fulani herdsmen’s genocide in Nigerian poetry. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 9(1), 2126086.
  5. Allison, S. (2017). Mystery of the missing Biafran separatist. Retrieved from https://mg.co.za/article/2017-10-06-00-mystery-of-the-missing-biafran-separatist-1/
  6. Anazodo, R., Igbokwe-Ibeto, C., & Nkah, B. (2015). Leadership, corruption and governance in Nigeria: Issues and categorical imperatives. African Research Review, 9(2), 41-58.
  7. Aremu, J. O., & Buhari, L. O. (2017). Sense and senselessness of war: Aggregating the causes, gains and losses of the Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970. IAFOR Journal of Arts & humanities, 4(1), 61-79.
  8. Buchanan, A. (1997). Theories of secession. Philosophy & public affairs, 26(1), 31-61.
  9. Bybee, A. N. (2017). The Indigenous People of Biafra: Another stab at Biafran independence. Retrieved from https://www.ida.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Publications/AfricaWatch/africawatch-November-9-2017-vol17.pdf
  10. Chiamogu, A. P. (2017). Political Leadership and Good Governance in Africa: The Role of African Intellectuals in Reinventing a New Dawn for African Renaissance: Department of Public Administration Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.
  11. Chiamogu, A. P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2020). Ethnicity, Religion, and Governance in Africa: Analyzing the Nigerian Situation. GSJ, 8(8), 889-908.
  12. Chiamogu, A. P., Obikeze, O., Chiamogu, U. P., & Odikpo, E. (2021). Social media and group consciousness in Nigeria: Appraising the prevalence of socio-political protests. Open Journal of Political Science, 11(4), 682-696.
  13. Chiamogu, P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2019). Ethnic and nepotic issues in Nigeria: Exploring the bane to public sector performance in the fourth republic. Paper presented at the A paper presented at the International Conference on Social Sciences in the 21st Century between July.
  14. Chukwuemeka, M. E. (2012). Ethnic identity, party politics and the Nigerian project, 1960–2010: An appraisal Nationalism and politics in post-colonial Nigeria (A. Ajala ed.): Rudinger Koppe Verlag.
  15. Daly, S. F. C. (2020). A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime, and the Nigerian Civil War: Cambridge University Press.
  16. Duruji, M. M. (2009). Social inequity, democratic transition and the Igbo nationalism resurgence in Nigeria. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 3(2), 54.
  17. Edike, T. (2014). Nigeria: Pro-Biafra Group's Bid to Seize Enugu Radio, TV Stations Foiled. Retrieved from https://allafrica.com/stories/201406060384.html
  18. Ekpo, C. E., & Agorye, C. A. (2019). The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the setting of the “Jubril Al-Sudani” agenda: A qualitative review of a failed securitization move. International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, 7(2), 1-17.
  19. Fagbemi, F., & Omowumi Adeoye, G. (2020). Nigerian governance challenge: exploring the role of natural resource rents. Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, 12(3), 335-358.
  20. Fisch, J. (2015). Introduction–A concept and ideal The Right of Self-Determination of Peoples: The Domestication of an Illusion (A. Mage ed.): Cambridge University Press.
  21. Idowu, H. A. (2020). Understanding governance challenges in Africa Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance (A. Farazmand ed.).
  22. Mkandawire, T. (2015). Neopatrimonialism and the political economy of economic performance in Africa: Critical reflections. World Politics, 67(3), 563-612.
  23. Nimfel, C. E., & Anjide, S. T. (2022). Framing, Separatist Agitation and the Nigerian State: A Study of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Socialscientia: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(4).
  24. Nwangwu, C. (2023). Neo-biafra separatist agitations, state repression and insecurity in South-East, Nigeria. Society, 60(1), 40-53.
  25. Nwangwu, C., Onuoha, F. C., Nwosu, B. U., & Ezeibe, C. (2020). The political economy of Biafra separatism and post-war Igbo nationalism in Nigeria. African Affairs, 119(477), 526-551.
  26. Obiora, C. A., Chiamogu, A. P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2019). Power devolution and electricity transmission in Nigeria: A study in resources mobilization for economic development. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 6(4).
  27. Ojukwu, C. O. (1989). Because I am involved: Spectrum Books Limited.
  28. Okibe, H. B. (2022). Ethnicity, Religion, and Polarization in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://africaupclose.wilsoncenter.org/ethnicity-religion-and-polarization-in-nigeria/
  29. Okoi, O., & Iwara, M. (2021). The failure of governance in Nigeria: An epistocratic challenge. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.
  30. Okpeh, O. O. (2007). Patterns and dynamics of inter-group relations in Nigeria, 1800-1900 AD. Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria, 17, 123-137.
  31. Oloja, M. (2021). What will make Buhari’s character federal? Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/opinion/what-will-make-buharis-character-federal/
  32. Omoniyi, T. (2021). ANALYSIS: Will devolution of powers, ‘restructuring’ solve Nigeria’s hydra-headed challenges? Premium Times. Retrieved from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/465143-analysis-will-devolution-of-powers-restructuring-solve-nigerias-hydra-headed-challenges.html?tztc=1
  33. Onuoha, G. (2012). Contemporary Igbo nationalism and the crisis of self-determination in Nigeria. African studies, 71(1), 29-51.
  34. Schmitter, P. C. (2019). Defining, explaining and, then, exploiting the elusive concept of “governance”. Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 12, 547-567.
  35. Shorr, J. (2021). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Biafra War Survivors. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
  36. Sunday, O. (n.d.). The Affliction Of Ndi Igbo.
  37. Udeajah, U. G. (2017). Failure of Gowon’s three Rs, cause of separatist groups. Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/politics/failure-of-gowons-three-rs-cause-of-separatist-groups/
  38. Udenze, C., Anih, J., Eme, O. I., & Okeke, M. I. (2021). Buhari Presidency and His Federal Character “Virus”: An Exposition of the Composition of the Federal Character Commission Board. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research, 9(3), 174-188.
  39. Ugorji, B. (2017). Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB): A revitalized social movement in Nigeria. International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation.
  40. Wellman, C. H. (2005). A theory of secession: Cambridge University Press.
  41. Yagboyaju, D. A., & Akinola, A. O. (2019). Nigerian state and the crisis of governance: A critical exposition. Sage Open, 9(3), 2158244019865810.