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Separatist movements of Nigeria

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Separatist movements of Nigeria want to achieve state secession, which is the withdrawal of one or more of the states of Nigeria from the multinational state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The only act of secession in Nigeria occurred from 1967 to 1970 during the Nigerian Civil War, when the breakaway republic of Biafra declared its independence from Nigeria and was eventually defeated. Ever since then, Nigeria has experienced the emergence of separatist movements seeking the independence of Biafra as well as other proposed states.

History

Colonial era

1914

Separatist sentiments first occurred in 1914, when Frederick Lugard unified the Northern Nigeria Protectorate (predominantly Muslim) and the Southern Nigeria Protectorate (predominantly pagan/animist and Christian) into the single colony of Nigeria. Ahmadu Bello in his autobiography noted the unpopularity in Northern Nigeria of the merger, likely referring to the native Islamic rulers of Northern Nigeria.

1950s

As Nigeria was transitioning towards self-rule during the 1950s, new constitutional arrangements and rivalries between political parties intensified secessionist rhetoric. A particular point of contention centered around Lagos, which was the capital of Nigeria at the time. Delegates from the predominantly Igbo Eastern Region regarded Lagos as a "no man's land", while delegates from the predominantly Yoruba Western Region regarded Lagos to be a culturally Yoruba city to be governed strictly on their terms. Obafemi Awolowo, the premier of Western Region, sent a letter which stated the freedom of Western Region to "decide whether or not they will remain on the proposed Nigerian Federation", implicitly threatening secession.

Post-independence

Secessionist sentiments re-emerged during the federal election of December 1964 and the Western Region election of 1965. President Nnamdi Azikiwe stated:

It is better for us and for our admirers abroad that we should disintegrate in peace and not in pieces. Should the politicians fail to heed this warning, then I will venture the prediction that the experience of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be child's play if it ever comes to our turn to play such a tragic role

However, in response, Ahmadu Bello reiterated the 1963 constitution of Nigeria had no provision for secession.

Separatist movements

Separatist movements include:

References

  1. Adibe, Jideofor (2017-07-12). "Separatist agitations in Nigeria: Causes and trajectories". Brookings. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  2. "What's Behind Growing Separatism in Nigeria?". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  3. "In Nigeria, Rising Insecurity Leads to Growing Separatist Calls". VOA. Archived from the original on 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  4. Craig, Jess. "Separatist Movements in Nigeria and Cameroon Are Joining Forces". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 2022-03-03. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  5. Ibrahim Adeyemi (23 April 2024). "The Curious Journey Of Woman Who Declared Yoruba Independence From Nigeria". HumAngle. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  6. "Adaka Boro Avengers abandon bid to declare N-Delta Republic". Vanguard News. 2016-08-01. Archived from the original on 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-14.

Sources

Secessions by country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Oceania
South America
Historical
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