1.1 Introduction
IPOB is an acronym for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is a separatist group that advocates for their people's self-determination. Studies have shown that protests by various groups in various countries have an impact on the political stability of the countries involved (Shehu, Othman & Osman 2017). Currently, each ethnic group claims ownership of most national issues; this is the root of Nigeria's problem, as there is no cooperation to move the country forward in achieving national consciousness and identity. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had recently joined other secessionist agitators in the South-east region of Nigeria to demand for Biafran independence. IPOB together with several other uprisings in Nigeria have greatly challenged the possibility of achieving national integration.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had recently joined other secessionist agitators in the South-east region of Nigeria to demand for Biafran independence. IPOB together with several other uprisings in Nigeria have greatly challenged the possibility of achieving national integration. These challenges are often attributed to the unsolicited amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, which produced a geographical expression known today as Nigeria.
The attacks on the state by various insurgents and terrorist groups have raised doubts about the Nigerian federation's ability to survive, whether as a single entity or as a collection of states, similar to the failed Biafra uprising of 1967–1970. The massive killing of Ibos in Northern Nigeria in the 1960s, as well as the exodus of Ibos back home, revealed the mindset of the Igbo ethnic group that chose secession through their leader Lt Col O. Ojukwu. Beyond communal tensions and conflicts, which have persisted across the country, Nigeria faces a slew of serious challenges that could jeopardize the country's corporate existence; these include the still-burning issues in the Niger-Delta region, as well as a slew of other issues, the growing disaffection by Oduduwa activists, the unfinished and percolating tensions and contestations between Christians and Muslims and the growing radicalization of Shia Moslems to the hugely damaging agitations over marginalization and demands for a secessionist Biafra, and the Boko Haram insurgency that has already resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of refugees and internally displaced persons.
The resurgent agitation for independence from the Nigerian federation by a section of citizens from the old Eastern region of the country and the rebellion organized by the Islamist Boko Haram in the Northeastern part of the country currently constitute two of the gravest threats to the Nigerian state's territorial integrity. Despite efforts and resources devoted to peace and integration projects, Nigeria has struggled to achieve peace and national integration since independence due to a variety of factors. The 30-month fratricidal Biafra-Nigeria civil war between 1967 and 1970 exemplified the importance and dominance of centrifugal forces over centripetal elements. Nigeria has continued to drift towards increased social, regional, and ethno-religious cleavages despite General Gowon's post-conflict policy, which emphasized reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
Presently, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has not only been the most vociferous, resilient and determined advocate of Biafra secession, but also has been undeterred by threats and clampdown efforts by state security organizations. It also enjoys wide and vocal solidarity, especially among the youths, in the region. Although the group espouses a non-violent approach notionally, it has been known to be very violent and destructive in the very recent past, which has served to ensure high levels of compliance to its recent public orders suggestions in the Southeast. As such, IPOB’s activities may constitute an imminent threat and present danger to peace building and national integration efforts in Nigeria. National integration is the process of instilling a sense of national consciousness, identity, and loyalty among a country's citizens, despite the fact that they come from various races or castes, ethnic groups, religions, regions, and languages.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Implication of IPOB’s Secessionist Agenda on National Integration and Development.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that unity is still a scarce resource among Nigerian peoples due to the manner the country was created by the British colonial authorities and the failure of Nigerian elites to create a true and viable nation out of these diversities (Aluko and Usman, 2016). Unifying the diverse ethnic, religious, political and economic groupings in Nigeria for development remains the greatest challenge facing Nigeria as a nation.
Omokri (2017) argues that diversity in and of itself is not a problem; it is what is done with it that matters. According to him, whether or not socio-cultural variety results in strife or collective success entirely depends on how a society chooses to manage it. However, disagreements and controversies over the best political structure to be adopted, size and responsibility of government, the nature of relationship between and among component units, the type and system of government, as well as how resources are acquired and shared have become a recurring feature of the Nigerian state.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Implication of IPOB’s Secessionist Agenda on National Integration and Development. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the challenges that has continued to threaten the corporate existence of the Nigerian;
- To assess the Nigerian state and the Resurgence of Biafran Agitation;
- To examine the implications of Agitation for Biafra on National Integration and development;
- To evaluate the programs and policies to promote national unity in Nigeria; and
- To determine the relationship between IPOB’s secessionist agenda on National Integration and development.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there the implications of Agitation for Biafra on National Integration and development?
- Is there relationship between IPOB’s secessionist agenda on National Integration and development?
- What are the Nigerian state and the Resurgence of Biafran Agitation?
- What are the programs and policies to promote national unity in Nigeria?
- What are the challenges that have continued to threaten the corporate existence of the Nigerian?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: IPOB’s secessionist agenda has no impact on National Integration and development in Nigeria
- H1: IPOB’s secessionist agenda has impact on National Integration and development in Nigeria
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant relationship between IPOB’s secessionist agenda on National Integration and development
- H1: There is significant relationship between IPOB’s secessionist agenda on National Integration and development
1.7 Significance of Study
The study would be of immense benefit to Nigerian government as it would highlight the prospects and challenges to national integration and development in Nigeria. The study contributes to scholarly pursuit of knowledge in the field of national integration and enhances the current debate on the integration of Nigeria. Findings from the study will serve as a useful reference of the difficulties that need to be overcome with regards to the National integration of Nigeria.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Implication of IPOB’s Secessionist Agenda on National Integration and Development in Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Operational Definition of Terms
Integration: Is the tendency of sovereign states to shift their loyalties, expectations and political activities to new centre of power through persuasion.
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