PROPOSAL ON SECESSIONIST MOVEMENTS AND DEMOCRATIC SUSTENANCE

IN THE NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: A STUDY OF EASTERN SECURITY

NETWORK (ESN)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OT THE STUDY

The advent of democracy in 1999, which increase 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. However, the division of the country into six geopolitical zones (although not
constitutionally recognised 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 mobilisation 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 Actualisation of
Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) and the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) all point to the perceived feelings of marginalisation and discrimination
of the Igbos. There remains residual support for the independence of Biafra among the Igbos.
Many Igbos, who are mostly Christian, consider that they are disadvantaged under the current,
Muslim dominated Nigerian government. Biafra secessionism is also attributable to the Nigerian
police abuses and arbitrary arrests in the southeastern states The IPOB formed the ESN in
December 2020, as a reaction to the Igbo's perception that they are targeted by Muslim Fulani
herders, whom they accuse of grazing on farmlands and committing crimes against local
residents. The movement then morphed into a paramilitary unit with broader functions.

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 The Nigerian government saw the ESN as a threat to its authority and deployed the army
to locate and destroy ESN bases. In January 2021, intense fighting broke out in the town of Orlu,
in Imo State. The military confrontation lasted for seven days, until ESN declared a unilateral
ceasefire and both sides withdrew from the city. Hence, often, they all appear to speak in
discordant tunes. Meanwhile, in recent times, IPOB has stepped-up struggles for the
actualizsation of the sovereign state of Biafra through protests and other forms of social
mobilisation. The protests have triggered tension and heightened security, with the security
agencies applying excessive force to quell the protests.

1.2 STATEMENTS OF THE PROBLEM

The Igbo people lost the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War, during which they attempted to
secede from Nigeria and establish an independent government in Biafra. 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 marginalisation
among the Igbos, the ideology and modus operandi of these separatist movements have always
been in conflict with that of the mainstream Igbo political elite and leadership. Hence, Scholars
like Tamuno (1970) points to poor leadership and lack of an ideology with mass appeal. Duruji
(2012, 2014) differently points to the perception of inequality and injustice held by the Igbos and
the inability of democratic institutions to contain with the explosion of ethno-national
grievances.

Recently, Ibeanu, Orji and Iwuamadi (2016) underscore the fact that the feeling of
collective victimisation which ties all separatist movements together cannot be discarded in any
genuine effort to understand the resurgence of separatist agitation in the Southeast, Nigeria. The
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), founded by Nnamdi Kanu, is a currently active separatist
movement. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, "the federal government, recalling
the civil war, is bitterly opposed to Igbo separatism, as is most of the Igbo establishment. The
government has long sought to defang the IPOB and silence Kanu, sometimes through illegal or
quasi-legal methods". Since 2017, the IPOB is designated by the Nigerian government as a
terrorist organisation.

Since, August 2020, violence has been escalating between the IPOB and the Nigerian
government, this plethora problems have crippled social economic development of the igbo

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people and above all threating the national integration of Nigeria. In view of this, around August
2020, Nigerian police forces executed 21 IPOB members at a meeting, with two police officer’s
dead and both siding accused each other of firing the first shot. Violence escalated during the
following months, leading to a region-wide insurgency. Therefore, against this backdrop the
study seeks to examine secessionist movements and democratic sustenance in the Nigeria’s
fourth republic: a study of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to examine secessionist movements and democratic
sustenance in the Nigeria’s fourth republic: a study of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The specific objectives are to:

i. examine the rise and growth of secession movements in Nigeria,

ii. state the factors that motivate secessionist movement in Nigeria,
iii. examine the factors that determine democratic sustenance in Nigeria,
iv. also state the effect of the Eastern security network on secession movement,
v. look at the nexus between secessionist movements and democratic sustenance in Nigeria.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the rise and growth of secessionist movements in Nigeria?
2. Elucidate the factors that motivate secessionist movement in Nigeria.
3. Discuss the factors that determine democratic sustenance in Nigeria.
4. Explain the effect of the Eastern security network on secession movement.
5. Write short note on the nexus between secessionist movements and democratic
sustenance in Nigeria.
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
Ho1: There is significant relationship between secessionist movements and democratic
sustenance in the Nigeria’s fourth republic: a study of Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Ho2: There is no significant relationship between secessionist movements and democratic
sustenance in the Nigeria’s fourth republic: a study of Eastern Security Network (ESN).
H03: There is significant effect of Eastern Security Network on attainment of Biafra republic.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

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 This study seeks to reveal secessionist movements and democratic sustenance in the
Nigeria’s fourth republic: a study of Eastern Security Network (ESN). Above all, it will be a
contribution to the body of existing knowledge and also benefits security experts, policy makers,
researchers, public administrators, political scientist and the society at large.

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the secessionist movements and democratic sustenance in
the Nigeria’s fourth republic: a study of Eastern Security Network (ESN). The research work
will be limited by financial and time constraint. More so, it is envisaged to be constrained by
relevant literatures and data, this is because of the scarcity of data within the vicinity of the
researcher and the process of data gathering.

The researcher will make effort to systematically carry out this research devoid of any
personal prejudice, so that this constraint will not negatively impact on the outcome of the
research.

1.8 ORGANISATION OF THE STUDY

The study would span through five chapters, via chapter one to five. Chapter one consists
background to the study, statements of the problem, the objectives of the study, research
questions and hypothesis, significance to the study, scope and limitations of the study. Chapter
two will contain the review of relevant and related literatures, conceptual analysis and theoretical
framework.

Chapter three will basically contains methodology of the study which includes
procedures and types of data, research design, research instrument and method of data collection,
method of data analysis and statement of statistical tool. Chapter four will deal with presentation
and analysis of relevant data collected from the respondents, as well as interpretation of findings
or result. While chapter five comprises of summary, recommendation and conclusion.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Democratic sustenance: This is the one where rulers are held accountable to the ruled by means

of a variety of political arrangement. This simply means how democracy can be sustained in

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Nigeria.

Secessionist movements: this is the withdrawal of agroup from a larger entity, especially a
political entity, but also from any organization, union or military alliance.

Security: The state of being free from danger or threat. The quality or state of being secure.
Such

As from danger, freedom from fear or anxiety and freedom from the prospect of being laid off
job

security.

Independence: The fact or state of being independent. Freedom from the control, influence,
support, aid, or the like, of others.

Eastern Security Network (ESN): is the paramilitary organization of the indenous people of
Biafra( IPOB), a pro-biafra separatist movement.

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 References

The Punch (2017), ‘Igbo must produce President in 2019 to pacify Biafra agitators – Ohanaeze
Youths’, June 13, http://punchng.com/igbo-must-produce-president-in-2019-to-pacify-
biafra-agitators-ohanaeze-youths/

Alumona, Mike, Ikenna et el., 2019, „„The Nigerian State and the Resurgence of Separatist
Agitations: The Case of Biafra,‟‟ Journal of Conflict Transformation and Nation
building, Vol.1, No. 1, 95-119.

Ibeanu, O., Orji, N., and Iwuamadi, C.K. (2016). Biafra separatism: Causes, consequences and
remedies. Enugu: Institute for Innovations in Development.

Tamuno, T.N. (1970). Separatist agitations in Nigeria since 1914. The Journal of Modern
African
Studies8(4), 563-584.

Duruji, M.M. (2010), Democracy and the challenges of ethno-nationalism in Nigeria's fourth
republic: Interrogating Institutional mechanics. Journal of Peace, Confict and Development, 92-
106
Duruji, M.M. (2012). Resurgent ethno-nationalism and the renewed demand for Biafra in South-
East Nigeria. National Identities14(4), 329-350.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.0 CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION

2.1 Concept of Secessionist Movements
2.1.2 Democratic sustenance
2.1.3 Eastern Security Network (ESN)
2.2 The rise and growth of secession movements in Nigeria
2.3 The factors that motivate secessionist movement in Nigeria.
2.4 Factors that determine democratic sustenance in Nigeria.
2.5 Effect of the Eastern security network on secession movement
2.6 Theoretical Framework
2.7 Nexus between secessionist movements and democratic sustenance in Nigeria

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 CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOD AND PROCEDCURE
1.0 Introduction
This chapter will deal with the various research methods as well as the procedures
utilized in the course of carrying out this research. It entails such methods and procedures like
research design, population of the study, sample size and sampling techniques, research
instrument, validity of instrument, reliability of instrument, method of data collection as well as
method of data analysis.
3.1 Research Design
This study will adopt descriptive survey research in obtaining first-hand information
from the respondents by collecting of data through the use of questionnaire. To maintain the
focus of the study, relevant information will be obtained directly from the people in the study
area.
3.2 Population of the Study

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 Population consist of all the elements, subjects, or observations that of primary interest
to the researcher or a study. The target population for this study would be drawn from Eastern
Security Network. The respondents shall cover the civil servants, businessmen/women, legal
professionals and artisans of different socio-economic background consisting of both male and
female from the study of areas.
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
The study adopted systematic sampling technique. A sample is a portion of a
population, that is, the small group that is observed from a target or total population. Since the
population cannot be studied in its entirety or at the same time. Thus, the sample size for the
study is 300 respondents selected through the systematic sampling technique from the study
population.
3.4 Research Instrument
The basic instrument that will be adopted for this study is the self-structured
questionnaire that contained a list of carefully selected and ordered items to elicit the required
data to answer the research questions. The questionnaire will be divided into two sections
(Section A and B), Section A contains the personal data of the respondents such as; sex, age
bracket, marital status and occupation while the Section B contains a list of twenty-five (25)
items relating to the study.
3.5 Validity of the Instrument
The instrument that will be used is the questionnaire, and submitted to the researcher’s
supervisor for in-depth examination; correction and suggestions which give the research
instrument a face construct and content validity.
3.6 Reliability of Instruments
For the reliability of the research instrument, that is, the questionnaire, the Cronbach
Alpha method was adopted in which a number of drafted questionnaires was first administered to a
set of respondents aside the targeted population and was tested using Cronbach Alpha.
3.7 Methods of Data Collection
The questionnaire will be administered to the respondents by the researcher herself and
was collected immediately after their completion to ensure speedy and accurate return of all
questionnaires.
3.8 Methods of Data Analysis

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 The collected data through the questionnaire will be analyse using descriptive statistics.
The personal data of the respondents will be analyse using simple percentage statistical analysis
for demographic characteristic and relevant research questions, the stated research questions will
be analyse using descriptive mean and standard deviation while chi square will be used to test the
hypothesis.
Hence. the statistical tool that will be used in the research to analyse collected data is
chi-square (X2). Chi-square will be used to test relationship between hypothesized variables. The
result of statistical analysis of data was used either to reject or accept the stated hypothesis. The
hypothesis was tested at 0.5 level of significance. The sample of chi-square formula is X 2=∑ (O-
E)
Where O= observed frequency, E= expected frequency, ∑= summation.

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