ELITE POLITICIZATION OF TERROR: IMPLICATION ON NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Without a doubt, Nigeria, as an artificial creation resulting from the amalgamation of diverse ethnic nationalities by British colonialists in 1914, has faced serious challenges in becoming a stable polity where equity, unity, fairness, and justice will characterize the relationships between the disparate groups. Several studies and scholars, including Ekeh (1975), Nnoli (1978), and Ayoade (2010), as cited in Chijioke E.& Michael I. (2017), have documented how the politicization of ethnicity, manipulation of primordial sentiments, and other negative tendencies were exploited by various vested interests, particularly during colonial rule and the immediate post-colonial period. Notably, a common thread running across most of these studies is that the negative inclinations of marginalization and exclusion by one group against the other, which were constantly exploited, exacerbated the issue of a lack of legitimating values that has plagued Nigeria from its inception. Violence has been used as a weapon in manipulating and politicizing these negative tendencies of marginalization and exclusion, most recently in the forms of insurgency, militancy, and terrorism.

Prior to independence, Nigerian violence was mostly ethnic and religious in nature, masterminded by elites. After 1960, some violence began to have a political undertone, leading to words like ethno-political violence. The violence that erupted in the aftermath of the annulment of the presidential election in 1993 was markedly ethno-political. However, being ethno-political implies that ethnic emotion is a primary source of violence in Nigeria, and as such, practically every political or religious violence is often associated with ethnocentrism. Sometimes, particularly in the Northern area, violence is the consequence of a trifecta of ethnic, religious, and political factors. Adetunmbi, O. (2014), as referenced in Chijioke, E., and Michael I. (2017).

In the north, ethnoreligious violence is often more severe than politically driven violence. Since the resumption of civilian democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999, insecurity and violence have been a significant issue. 

In present-day Nigeria, there is undeniable insecurity as a result of colonial exploitation of primal ethnic feelings. The Nigerian state's incapacity to construct a system that assures justice, fairness, and inclusion, along with the politicization of terror, creates a fertile atmosphere for violence. The Niger Delta militancy is a result of these emotions of marginalization and exclusion from a shared national wealth that has been parked in their backyard. The concept of being a minority and being minimally represented in political activities has become overly politicized, and violence has been used as a strategy. The Boko Haram insurgency sprang from the same dangerous political emotions as a consequence of a misconception among certain Northern elderly who believe they have been out-schemed politically in terms of enjoying and managing the state earnings from Niger Delta oil. Terrible massacres and violence were used as a political instrument to reclaim control of the North. As a result, this research is designed to investigate Elite Politicization of Terror and its implications for Nigerian society.

1.2       Statement of problem

Nigeria seems to be at a crossroads, with serious doubts about which direction to take. This predicament is aggravated by the country's repeated wounds since 1960. The two coups of 1966, the pogrom and civil war from 1967 to 1970, the subsequent coups, the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, and a slew of other heinous political developments have been interpreted negatively by one ethnic group as a ploy by the other group(s) to marginalize, subdue, suppress, and dominate the rest of the country. Unfortunately, no one can argue that these ill-feelings are unjustified since in Nigeria, violence is a commodity traded between and among ethnic groups and is supported by politicians Chijioke E.& Michael I. (2017).

As a result, these sentiments are too deeply ingrained, and the heist of this insecurity is fueled by the ruling elite and, at worst, used as political propaganda, so the dividing lines are too strong, cutting across religion, ethnicity, tribal, and political spheres, but it appears that Nigeria will not emerge from this abyss anytime soon. Discord between and among Nigeria's ethnic nations is a factor that generates distrust, intolerance, emotions of dread, and subordination, all of which lead to violence at the smallest provocation. The situation in Nigeria is like a keg of gun powder ready to be detonated by the smallest spark of light. This degree of poverty is expanding on a daily basis, while the current administration shows ample evidence of ineptness, inefficacy, and irresponsibility. Without equivocation, Nigeria's future is bleak and fraught with uncertainty.

 Therefore it is against the backdrop that this study is set to examine, elite politicization of terror: implication on Nigeria.

1.3       Objective of the study

The main focus of this study is to examine elite politicization of terror: implication on Nigeria. Specifically it seeks

1. To investigate if elites in a way sponsors those causing terror in the society.

2. To examine if elites politicization of terror has an implication in Nigeria society.

3. To determine the extent at which politics and ethnicity has contributed to the rise in terrorism and insecurity.

1.4     Research Hypothesis

The research is guided by the following hypothesis

H0: politics and ethnicity has not contributed to the rise in terrorism and insecurity.

H0: elites politicization of terror has no significant implication on Nigeria

1.5       Significance of the study

The study will be significant the statesmen, political actors, government and elites. To poltical actors, the study will enlighten them on the need to refrain from sponsoring terrors  as political propaganda through thuggery, hoodlums and unknown gun men. As the implication of this on citizens are not something to reckon with. The study will also contribute to the body of knowledge and literature, it will serve as a reference material to  student and researchers in this field and also provide gap for further studies.

1.6       Scope of the study

The scope of this study borders on elites politicization of terror and it implication o Nigeria. The study is limited to selected local government in Imo State as a case study.

1.7       Limitation of the study

The study encountered various militating factors which posed as a limitation such as:

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).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 Definition of terms

Elite: a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.

Politicization: Politicization is the action of causing an activity or event to become political in character or giving it a political tone.

Terror: Terror is defined as political violence in an asymmetrical conflict that is designed to induce uncertainty and psychic fear .