Donnish Journal of Law and Conflict Resolution

August 2017 Vol. 3(1), pp. 001-017

Copyright © 2017 Donnish Journals

Original Research Article

Separatist Agitations and the Search for Political Stability in Nigeria

Zacchaeus Adangor

Associate Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author's Email: adazaky@yahoo.com

Accepted 19th July, 2017.

Abstract

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This paper examines the causes of separatist agitations in Nigeria from its formative years as a British Colony and Protectorate and proffers solutions for stemming the drift toward disintegration. Moulded from a motley of ethnocultural groups by her colonialists, the stability of the Federation of Nigeria has often come under threats by separatist agitations by her diverse ethnic groups. It is argued that the ethnocultural diversity of the peoples of Nigeria and the mutual fear of domination amongst them accentuated by divisive colonial policies account for the persistence of separatism. Furthermore, the over-centralization of the federal system following decades of military rule has ensured the hegemony of the Hausa/Fulani in the federation and subjugated the states to the centre thus undermining the underlying principles of Nigeria’s federal arrangement that no ethnic group shall be dominated by the others and that the states shall be encouraged to develop at their varying speeds according to their respective fiscal capacities and comparative advantages. The solution to the persistent threats of separatism lies in re-inventing Nigeria’s federalism in line with its underlying principles through devolution of power from the centre to the constituent states which will strengthen the states to provide meaningful self-rule and reduce the dominance of the centre.

Keywords: Nigeria, Federalism, Separatism, Political Stability.

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Cite This Article:

Zacchaeus Adangor. Separatist Agitations and the Search for Political Stability in Nigeria. Donnish Journal of Law and Conflict Resolution 3(1) 2017 pp. 001-017.