Will social justice for the people of southeast Nigeria prevent Biafra’s secession?

Since 2015, the Biafran Crisis has dominated Nigeria’s political space. A state-entrenched, systematic marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group and policy failure have been attributed as the main reasons for the agitation for a separate state led by the Indigenous People of Biafra. Yet, this alleged injustice has failed to pique the interest of politicians of Igbo extraction in the southeast zone of Nigeria. The inability of politicians from the zone to insist on fair economic redistribution, combined with the central government’s failure to address the complaints, fuels the crisis. The Indigenous People of Biafra freedom movement has insisted on Biafra. However, its willingness to negotiate with the governors of the political zone could be an indication that the movement might drop its agitation for a separate state if the federal government shows a willingness to cease the alleged marginalisation against the Igbo. Therefore, the adoption of true federalism, characterised by holding together federalism, will help to stem the tide of secession in Nigeria. The application of this has been successful in Canada, Belgium, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The existing federal structure may have succeeded in holding the country together. However, a forced unity cannot guarantee political stability in Nigeria. The study recommends making the existing six political zones in the country constitutional. This will ensure the protection of the so-called minority groups in Nigeria and allay the fear of ethnic domination by one group over the other.