Re-Thinking Biafra Ideology of Self-Determination in Nigeria

The paper examines the dynamics of politics in modern Nigerian state particularly in relation to the clamour for the creation of the sovereign state of Biafra by two ‘radical’ groups of same ideological position–Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). It attempts to investigate what informed the resurgence of Biafra ideology in contemporary Nigeria after its initial foray in pursuing self-determination agenda of the Igbo in 1967. The paper interrogates the methodology of the groups in pursuing their demand and proposes some alternative measures that could be adopted to enable them realize their dream. The study employs primary and secondary methods for data collection which encompass critical review of journal articles, books on related study area, newspapers, magazines, and electronically downloaded materials. It also relied on review of official documents and reports on Biafra, the Nigerian civil war and the activities of IPOB and MASSOB. Data analysis was descriptive and analytical. The study adopts the Relative Deprivation theory and Frustration-Aggression theory as its theoretical framework.