IGBO MARGINALIZATION AND IPOB AGITATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This work discussed IPOB and the issues of marginalization in the southeast Nigeria. The study cruised from the ordinary meaning of marginalization to the origin of marginalization in Nigeria. It further delved into the meaning of marginalization, its origin in Nigeria and areas of marginalization of Igbo as perceived by IPOB. It raised questions such as what is the true meaning of marginalization? What are the issues of marginalization held by IPOB group against Nigerian government? Who are IPOB members? It held that the causes of militancy in the region included political, economic and tribal marginalization, which have resulted to the wanton destruction of lives and created fear among the inhabitants of the region. Marginalization of Igbo did not start today; it was traced back to the Nigerian civil war. Since then, Biafrans have been a great threat and has been looked on with a suspicious eye. To keep the nation together, Nigerian Government has tried in every way to subdue the Igbo using the weapon of marginalization. Some of these well pronounced areas of marginalization as perceived by IPOB in particular and Igbo in general are; unfulfilled transitional justice program promised by Gowon and his government at the end of the civil war, the failure of Igbo to produce a president since independence, injustice in the creation of states for allocation of revenue, insensitivity in the appointment of military and paramilitary personnel, etc. The paper submitted that there is the need for the practice of true federalism and implementing the resolutions of the 2014 national conference, for restructuring. The descriptive case study method of enquiry was be employed for the purpose of this research.