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Elite Conspiracy, Ethno-Religious Violence, Insecurity and Underdevelopment in Nigeria: Implication for National Stability.

Gbaeren, Felix Tersoo PhD, John Iorlumun Dankaro Patrick Aondoakaa Tion

Abstract

The political upheavals in Nigeria today is associated with increasing ethno-religious violence, insecurity and instability continues to remain distressing. To the extent that, the euphoria that grapple the Nigerian people as the wind of democratic change sweep across the political landscape paving way for the exit of military rule and the return of democratic governance has largely dissipated like steam and is being replaced by a sense of skepticism, disillusionment and despair. Given the harvest of ethno-religious violence and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria which has resulted in an estimated loss of over million lives and unquantifiable psychological and material damages. The paper dwelt on secondary sources of data (qualitative data) as a methodological tool and adopts elite theory as a framework of analysis. The paper found out that Nigeria state inherited a weak socio-political structure, a defective and an unbalanced federation. It was evolved with elements of suspicion and an intensification of ethnic and religious consciousness and rivalry; a subverted indigenous ethos of a governance and culture and a parochial leadership that exhibited regional, ethnic and religious orientations above national consciousness. This paper undertakes as it tasks to examine the role of elites in these crisis. It also takes a cursory inquiry at the implication of these crises on socio-economic development and overall stability of the nation. The paper recommends entrenchment of democratic values of supremacy of the rule of law, equality before the law, observances of fundamental human rights, e.g. inalienable rights, patriotism, equal treatment of citizens irrespective, of tribe, religion etc among other cherished creed of values, principles and custom of a nation state.

Keywords

Eliteconspiracyethno-religiousinsecurity and underdevelopment.

References

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