Ethnic Militancy and National Stability in Nigeria

A Case Study of the Oodua People's Congress

Bibliographic Data

ID6025549
AuthorsR T Akinyele (corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume100
Issue401
Pages623-640
Publication date2001-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Affairs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-9909 • E-ISSN: 1468-2621
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/afraf/100.401.623
OpenAlexW2052769750
LanguageEN
Citations received41

Nigeria is a deeply divided country, whether the yardstick for measuring the plurality is religious, ethnic or geographical. The aggressive pursuit of the principle of self‐determination has resulted in the formation of ethnic militias, the existence of which raises several questions: Is the existence of ethnic militias compatible with democracy, or a negation of it? What threat do they pose to the unity and stability of Nigeria? Is the blanket ban on them justifiable or workable? This article examines these questions, using the Oodua People's Congress as a case study in the wider context of the challenges that the Obasanjo administration has faced since its inception. The article concludes by proposing the establishment of a ‘People’s Committee' to foster cordial relations between the ethnic congresses and the government at all levels.

Ethnic group · Political science · Sociology · African Studies and Geopolitics · Gender Studies · Global Political and Social Dynamics · Law · Public Administration · Religion and Sociopolitical Dynamics in Nigeria

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