Nigerian Politics

The capacity of the Nigerian state, like every other state, is linked to the strength of its economy and power relations. For Nigeria, the evolving relations between the various segments of the ethnic societies that make up the state combine well with the economy and the character of the political system to define the capacity of the Nigerian state in terms of growth and development.

There is no doubt that post-colonial Nigeria has witnessed major transformation in the various strata of its existence. But, at some point, pessimism and uncertainty appeared very clearly on the political horizon of the Nigerian state. The 1967-1970 Civil War experience, the militarisation of the Nigerian polity, dwindling economic fortunes, rabid corruption, political crises, ethno-religious and intra-communal conflicts, armed robbery and appalling insecurity, among others, have served to heighten the pessimistic disposition of many Nigerians in the dream of a better Nigeria. Today, it is plausible to argue that the era of uncertainty and pessimism has been replaced with that of certainty and optimism.

I am a keen observer of events and as a celebrated Historian, I am conscious of the need to situate events and their causative agents in proper perspectives. As a patriotic Nigerian, I owe the present and future generations of this country a moral and intellectual responsibility to conceptualise and philosophise the events that have shaped the country and its conglomerate socio- political entities. The essence is to provide a basis for the proper interpretation of Nigeria’s history of growth and development from a reliable and realistic standpoint. This is exactly the conviction that has laid the basis of this book: Nigerian Politics, Economy and Society Commentaries and Public Lectures on Selected Themes, 2007-2012. The opinions and assertions expressed in the book are based on my personal convictions; and it is hoped that they will stimulate and generate scholarly responses to Nigerian politics, economy and society from among the academic community and the political class.