UNPACKING THE NEXUS BETWEEN STRUCTURAL INJUSTICE AND INSECURITY IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC.
Abstract
The paper examined insecurity emanating from structural injustice and power relations that unethically harm specific groups and jeopardize socioeconomic cum political development in Nigeria. At the demise of military rule in 1999, citizens were wrapped up in democratic dividends predicated on the rule of law, which determines the actions and inactions of the power elite. However, these expectations were far-fetched as the power elite exploited and oppressed the hiopolloi beyond reduction. Consequently, this unfairness has resulted in protracted conflicts in various parts of the country. The expected public good is now a mirage and horrendous to citizens. The non-state actors operating in various parts of the country continuously contended the monopoly of the legitimate use of violence with the Nigerian state. The study adopted the relative deprivation theory and the Theory of Justice as its theoretical construct. The paper relied on a secondary data-gathering technique. The study revealed that structural injustice is to maintain a class structure inherited from the colonist, ethnic chauvinism competition, and corruption, among others. The paper recommends amongst others, effective national dialogue in the country
Keywords:
conflict, democracy, elite, injustice, insecurityDownloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13757180Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ogele, Eziho Promise , Amadi, Ethel Innocent
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Achumba, I. C., Ighomereho, O. S. and Akpor-Robaro, M. O. M. (2013). Security Challenges in Nigeria and the Implications for Business Activities and Sustainable Development, Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, Vol. 4, No. 2.
Adebanwi, W. (2022). Corruption and the Crisis of Governance in Nigeria. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 40(2), 147-162.
Adeyemi, O. (2022). Power Play and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 16(3), 257-271.
Ajodo-Adebanjoko, A. and Ogwuoke,O.W. (2014). Poverty and Challenges of Insecurity to Development. European Scientific Journal. May edition, 10 (14). https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/328024303.pdf
Akinola, A. (2023). Rethinking Structural Power in Contemporary Nigeria. Journal of Nigerian Studies, 12(1), 1-15.
Beausoleil, E. (2019). Listening to claims of structural injustice, Angelaki, 24:4, 120-135,
Beland, D. (2005). The Political Construction of Collective Insecurity: From Moral Panic to Blame Avoidance and Organized Irresponsibility, Center for European Studies Working Paper Series 126.
Crenshaw,K.(1989). 'Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics'. University of Chicago Law Forum 139.
Eze, B. (2022). Political Marginalization and Security Challenges in the South-East Region. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 16(3), 362-376.
Gurr, T.R. (1970). "Why Men Rebel." London. Routledge Press
Hayward, C.R. (2018). On structural power. Journal of Political Power. 11(1): 56-67.
Ibidapo-Obe,A. (2008). The Utility of Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) in Intelligence Gathering by Security Operatives in Nigeria. Proceedings of conference on intelligent security, Lagos
Igbuzor, O. (2021). The Marginalization of the Igbo Region: A Critical Analysis. Journal of Nigerian Studies, 10(1), 39-54
Igbuzor, O. (2011). Peace and Security Education: A Critical Factor for Sustainable Peace and National Development, International Journal of Peace and Development Studies Vol. 2(1),1-7, January.
Inwalomhe, D.(2022). ICC and terrorists in Nigeria since 2009. The Tribune, September 8th. https://tribuneonlineng.com/icc-and-terrorists-in-nigeria-since-2009/
Lukes, S. (2021). Power and Domination. Journal of Political Power. 97(105).
McKeown, M. (2021). Structural injustice. Philosophy Compass, 16(7), 12757
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) (2022&2023). Nigerian Labour Force Statistics Report Q4 2022 &Q1 2023. https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/1241365
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) (2020). Labour Force Statistics: Unemployment and Underemployment Report Q2 2020-Abridged Labor Force Survey under Covid-19. https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/1135
NPC (2006). 2006 Population Census Report. National Population Commission, Abuja.
Nwosu, B. (2022). Power Dynamics and Socioeconomic Disparities in Nigeria. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 16(3), 272-286.
Ogele, E. P. (2022). Political Economy of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Human Security Threat: An Evidence from Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 18(3): 91-101.
Ogele,E.P.(2021). Elitism, Election, and Governance in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. A Study of Rivers State, 2003-2019. Journal of Political Science and Leadership Research. 7 (1). https://www.iiardjournals.org/get/
Ogele, E. P. (2020). Battle on the Ballot: Trends of Electoral Violence and Human Security in Nigeria, 1964-2019. In: Journal of Social and Political Sciences, Vol.3, No.3, 883-900.
Ogundiya, I. (2020). Post-Colonial Power Dynamics and Socio-Economic Disparities in Nigeria. Journal of African Studies, 59(3), 257-273.
Ogunleye, G.O., Adewale, O.S., Alese B.K. and Ogunde, A.O. (2011). A Computer-Based Security Framework for Crime Prevention in Nigeria, A Paper presented at the 10th international conference of the Nigeria Computer Society held from July 25th -29
Okonkwo, B.A. (2023). Money: Reason for Political Exclusiveness in Nigeria. Ochendo: An African Journal of Innovative Studies. 4 (3). www.apas.africa/journals.php
Onuoha, F.C. (2014). Why Do Youth Join Boko Haram? The United States Institute of Peace. Special Report, 348. June: https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR348-Why_do_Youth_Join_Boko_Haram.pdf
Powers, M. and Faden, R. (2019). Structural Injustice: Power, Advantage, and Human Rights. Oxford. Oxford University Press.
The Conversation (2023). Gender equality in Nigeria: Three reasons why women aren't represented in politics. February 19th. https://theconversation.com/gender-equality-in-nigeria-three-reasons-why-women-arent-represented-in-politics-199321
The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (2023, February 28). Nigeria. Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies. https://www.globalr2p.org/countries/nigeria/
The Punch (2023). It is not the duty of government to create jobs – Adesina. May 2nd. https://punchng.com/it-is-not-the-duty-of-govt-to-create-jobs-adesina/
Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. https://www.pdfdrive.com/a-theory-of-justice-d14982452.htm
Thomason,K.K. (2015). "Transitional Justice as Structural Justice". Theorizing Transitional Justice. 71-80. https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-philosophy/249
Vanguard (2013)."Tackling Poverty in Nigeria," November 27th, www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/ tackling-poverty-Nigeria
Young, I.M. (2011). Responsibility for Justice. London. Oxford University Press.
