CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
The Nigerian state since its emergence has been struggling with the challenge of how to coalesce the numerous ethnic nationalities in the country into one united nation. The challenge of forging national consciousness and unity among the different ethnic nationalities has always been compounded by the inability of the successive governments to frontally address the problems associated with citizenship, religion, ethnicity, inequality, resource distribution, native-settler dichotomy and development. The negative fallout from the situation has not only promoted disunity and mistrust among Nigerians but has manifested in the resentful disposition towards the Nigerian state exhibited by the nationalities that feel disadvantaged and aggrieved remaining in Nigeria. To this end, separatist agitations, which have been a regular feature of Nigerian politics, remain a veritable tool for the expression of discontent with the Nigerian state and a platform for demanding adequate political accommodation. With the aid of hindsight, these separatist agitations that date back to the era of British colonial administration cannot be adequately explained outside the context of poor leadership and the absence of an ideology with mass appeal (Tamuno, 1970). The interplay of power and forces between different ethnic nationalities that resort to separatist agitations has constantly threatened the continued existence of the Nigerian state. Unfortunately, the dominant political elites have not found any practical solution to this challenge. The advent, in 1999, of democracy which thrives in rule of law raised hopes that the enormous challenges besetting the Nigerian state, including separatist agitations, would be concretely addressed. The expectation was that democratic practice with its ideals of fairness, freedom, justice, equity and participation could provide a platform for accommodation that could address the issue. But events since then have shown that the challenge rather than being solved is exacerbating. By 1999, the Odua People’s Congress was the main group making separatist demands because of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election which was believed to have been won by late MKO Abiola, a Yoruba from the Southwest. Today a plethora of separatist groups and social movements, with diverse aims and targets, exists in the six geopolitical zones of the country. The division of the country into six geopolitical zones (although not constitutionally recognized but which has become a platform for political accommodation by the government) seems to have aggravated the proliferation of separatist groups since it has made ethnic mobilization a bit easier for the specific ethnic groups occupying the different geopolitical zones. It is within the above context that we can locate separatist agitations among the Igbo ethnic group in Southeast, Nigeria. The existence of separatist movements such as the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) all point to the perceived feelings of marginalization and discrimination of the Igbos. These ill-feelings which are part of the issues that led to the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War between 1967 and 1970 have persisted till date. The post war character of Nigerian politics in which the Igbo ethnic group appears to have been permanently denied the apex political position has not helped matters. Ironically, despite the cries of marginalization among the Igbos, the ideology and modus operanda of these separatist movements have always been in conflict with that of the mainstream Igbo political elite and leadership. Hence, often, they all appear to speak in discordant tunes. Meanwhile, in recent times, IPOB has stepped-up struggles for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra through protests and other forms of social mobilization. The protests have triggered tension and heightened insecurity and loss of lives and property. with the security agencies applying excessive force to quell the protests.
1.2 Statement of research problem
With the emergence of re-agitation of self rule by the IPOB members, this has caused an uproar in the country and most especially in the South-Eastern part of the nation. The IPOB re-agitation for self-rule gradually metamorphosed into a severe conflict which has in turn led to the loss of lives and property. Therefore, this research seeks to investigate the effect of IPOB conflict on lives and properties in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objective of this study is to investigate the following:
1. To investigate the causes and effect of these conflict in Nigeria
2. To investigate if the IPOB conflict have led to the loss of lives and property in Nigeria.
3. To suggest possible ways these conflicts can be resolved
1.4 Research questions
1. What is the cause and effect of IPOB conflict in Nigeria?
2. In what way have the conflict led to the loss of lives and property?
3. What are the ways with which these conflicts can be resolved?
1.5 Significance of the study
This study is significant for the following reasons:
l It will shed more light to the effect of IPOB conflict on lives and properties in Nigeria
l findings from this study willserve as a benchmark for, UN peace organizations,government agencies , individuals and academia
l It will also serve as a guide to future researchers as it forms a basis on which other studies can be undertaken on the effect of IPOB conflict on lives and properties in Nigeria
1.6 Scope of the study
This study intends to investigate the effect of IPOB conflict on the lives and properties in Nigeria Hence, this study is delimited to Imo state in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria
1.7 Limitations of the study
During the course of this study challenges encountered were that of:
Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant materials and in printing and collation of questionnaires
Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher
1.9 Operational definition of terms
Conflict: this can be said to be a struggle or clash between opposing forces in a battle.
Property: this is an item that a person or a business has legal right over.
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