Assessing Nigeria’s Post-Civil War Idea of “No Victor No Vanquish” Agenda in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone A Panacea for National Unity
Main Article Content
Keywords
Social Inequity, National integration, Civil war, Social Cohesion, Marginalization
Abstract
On 15 January 1970, at the end of the brutal Nigeria Civil War, pronounced the outcome of the war as that of “no victor, no vanquished” an important rhetorical effort to heal the wounds of the war and to give a sense of belonging to the defeated ‘Biafrans’ into the Nigerian State. The General Gowon administration made it clear that the aim of the Federal Government was the reunification and reintegration of the former citizens of the rebel Republic of Biafra into the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, 53 years after the famous speech, the southeast geopolitical zone which constituted the majority of the former Biafra Republic is still struggling for political inclusion, social equity, and economic emancipation and development from the Nigerian state. The effect has been the reinforcement of the bitterness of the civil war which has in recent times resurrected the agitation for the independence of Biafra as evident in the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) with a severe threat to the unity of the country. The study therefore recommended the need for restructuring of the country, the creation of more states for the southeast, and inclusive politics among others for the restoration of peace and harmony in the country. The study relied primarily on secondary data and content analysis for its research methodology.
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References
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African Polling Institute (API). (2021). Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report. August, Abuja, API.
Akolokwu, G.O. (2012). “A Review of the Abandoned Property Saga and the Constitution Right to Own Property”. Port Harcourt Law Journal, Vol. 4 No1.
Amri, A. B. and Etnik, M.H. (2007). Putrajaya: Ministry of Higher Education.
Bello, M.I. (2012). “Federal Character as a Recipe for National Integration: The Nigerian Paradox”, International Journal of Politics and Good Governance. Vol.3 (3.3). Quarter III.
Daily Post (12 October 2022). “Nnamdi Kanu heads to Appeal Court over IPOB Proscription” https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/12/nnamdi-kanu-heads-to-appeal-court-over-ipob-proscription/
Eke, P. (ed) (1997). “Historical Maps of Regions and States of Nigeria”. Reproduced from Wilberforce Conference on Nigeria Federalism.
Ekong, P. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/map-of-nigeria-showing-6-geopolitical-zones-for-interpretation-of-the_fig1_51795009
Ezemenaka, K.E. and Prouza, J. (2016). “Biafra Resurgence: State Failure, Insecurity and Separatist Agitations in Nigeria”, Central European Journal of International and Security Studies, August, Vol 10(3): 88-109. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331641081.
Federal High Court (2015). “Landmark Ruling: Court Orders Uniform Cut-off Marks for Admission into Unity Schools”. Olisa Agbakoba vs The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Education, 07 April 2015. https://oal.law/landmark-ruling-court-order-uniform-cut-marks-admission-unity-schools/
Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). Constitution of Nigeria as amended.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2010). Nigeria at 50: A Compendium.
Femi Aribisala (2015). “The Root Causes of the Biafra Struggle.” Vanguard, 1st December. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/root-causes-of-the-biafra-struggle/html.
Fredrick Nwabufo, (2019). “Southeast Excluded from National Assembly Leadership: A Repeat of Azikiwe, Awolowo’s Mistakes.” Sahara Reporters, 16 March. https://saharareporters.com/2019/03/16/southeast-excluded-national-assembly-leadership-repeat-azikiwe-awolowos-mistakes-frederick/
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Policy Brief (2021). Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Forum on the Attacks on Security Institutions in Southeast, Nigeria. https://pscc.fes.de/fileadmin/user_upload/images/publications/Pub_FES-Policy-Brief_An_analysis_of_the_evolvong_patterns_of_insecurity_in_the_southeast.pdf.
Gbenga, A. (2001). “Current Options for a Stabilized Federal System in Nigeria” in Kunle Amuwo, Daniel C. Bach, Yann Lebeau (2001), Nigeria During the Abacha Years (1993-1998), Ibadan: IFRA-Nigeria, 2001, PP. 289-318. https://doi.org/10.4000/books.ifra.649
Gowon, Y. (2015). “No Victory No Vanquished: Healing the Nigerian Nation”. Text of the Convocation Lecture Delivered by General (Dr) Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, Former Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Wednesday 25 March.
Information Service (1956). Eastern Region (Nigeria). Enugu Eastern Information Service, Enugu.
Kalu, V. (2017). “Ndigbo Should Not Allow Soldiers Immunise their Children”. Sun News Online. https://www.sunnesonline.com/ndigbo-should-not-allow-soldiers-to-immunize-their-children-ezeife/
Kobo, O.M. (2020). “No Victor and No Vanquished” – Fifty Years after the Biafran War. Origins. Current Events in Historical Perspective. https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/nigerian-civil-war-biafra-anniversary?language_content_entity=en.
Luke Onyekakeyah (2017). “Nigeria: Unity Schools and Unjust Cut-Off Marks”, The Guardian, 1st August.
Murray, D.J. (1970). “Nigeria After Biafra”. Current History, 58(343): 135-141. https://doi.org/10.1525/curh.1970.58.343.135.
National Assembly Abuja (2000) Abandoned Property Repeal Bill Sponsored by Hon Tony Anyanwu. A Bill to repeal the Abandoned Property Act Cap 1, Laws of the Federation 1990.
National Bureau of Statistics (18 March 2017), “Demographic Statistics Bulletin”.
National Unity Advisory Panel 1992 in Chang, L.W., Azizan, B.A., and Amran, M. (Special Ed.) (2013). “National Unity at the University Level: Importance of Civilization Dialogue and Way Forward”. European Scientific Journal, Vol. 4: 173.
National Working Group on Armed Violence (NWGAV) (2014) and Action on Armed Violence,” The Violent Rod: An Overview of Armed Violence in Nigeria.
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (nd.). NIMASA e-Library: Historical Background: The History of Port Development in Nigeria. http://www.nimasaelibrary.com/PDFs/13321459496078.pdf.
Nsoedo, E.E. (2019). “The Marginalization of the Igbo People in Nigeria’s Political and Economic Sectors: What is the Way Forward?” Scientific Research Publishing, Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2019, Vol. 7: 427-437. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2019.77035
Ojo, E. (2009). “Federalism and the search for national integration in Nigeria”. In African Journal of Political Science and International Relations. Vol. 3 (9), pp. 384-395, September.
Okonta, I. (2012). Biafran Ghosts: The MASSOB Ethnic Militia and Nigeria’s Democratization Process, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, UPPSALA.
Premium Times (15 April 2023). 2023: There was a Conspiracy against Igbo’s bid for Nigeria’s Presidency-Ikpeazu. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/593448-2023-there-was-conspiracy-against-igbos-bid-for-nigerias-presidency-ikpeazu.html.
Premium Times (23 October 2018). “Buhari Deliberately Sidelined-Southeast in Security Appointments”. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/292015-buhari-deliberately-sidelined-south-east-in-security-appointments-abaribe.html.
Rivers State Government (1969). Laws of the Rivers State. Section 2 Abandoned Property (Custody and Management). Edict No 8 of 1969.
RoyalFM 95.1MHz Ilorin. (06 April 2015). “Vote for Ambode or Perish inside the Lagoon, Oba Akiolu Tells Igbos”. http://royalfm.net/vote-for-ambode-or-perish-inside-the-lagoon-oba-akiolu-tells-igbos/
Sahara Reporters (20 March 2022) “Governorship Poll: Suspected APC thugs on Rampage in Lagos Community, Allegedly Attack Supporters of Labour Party Candidate, Rhodes-Vivour”. https://saharareporters.com/2023/03/20/governorshi-polls-apc-thugs-rampage-lagos-community-allegedly-attack.
Tansi-International College (2020). “National Unity”. 28 July.
Tee Abdullah, M.R. (2010) “Cabaran Integrasi Antara Kaum Di Malaysia: Perspektif Sejarah, Keluarga dan Pendidikan.” Jurnal Hadhari, Vol. 3, 2010: 61–84. Bangi: Institute of Islam Hadhari, UKM
The Cable. (26 May 2017). “Ngige, Buhari and Marginalization of Igbo”. https://www.thecable.ng/ngige-buhari-marginalization-igbo/
The Conversation (5 February 2023). Election Violence in Nigeria Southeast is threatening to derail voting in the region. https://theconversation.com/election-violence-in-nigeria-south-east-os-threatening-to-derail-voting-in-the-region/
The Guardian (14 June 2021). Nigeria’s Unity Schools, From Glory to Ordinary. https://guardian.ng/features/education/nigerias-unity-schools-from-glory-to-ordinary/
The Guardian (18 March 2020). “How Southeast is responding to Exclusion from FG’s $22.7bn loan”. https://guardian.ng/politics/how-southeast-is-responding-to-exclusion-from-fgs-22-7bn-loan/
The Guardian (8 June 2017). “Failure of Gowon’s Three Rs, Cause of Separatist Groups”. https://guardian.ng/politics/faiure-of-gowons-three-rs-cause-of-separatist-groups/
The Pointer (2019). “Cargo Congestion at Lagos Port”. https://thepointernewsonline.com/?p=55662.
ThisDayLive (22 March 2023). The Lagos Election and the Ant-Igbo Attacks. https://www.thisdalive.com/index.php/2023/03/22/the-lagos-election-and-the-antiigbo-attacks/
Udalla, E.A. and Ezeagwu, C. (2011). “Contradictory Projection of Development in the South-South States of Nigeria: Implications for Scaling Up and Sustaining Development”. SSRN Electronic Impact Journal, 04 Aug 2011. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1905217
Vanguard (10 April 2018). “Federal Government Confirms Anambra’s Status as Oil Producing State.” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/fg-confirms-anambra-status-oil-producing-state/
Vanguard (11 March 2023). “Abandoned Property Campaign: Onoh Warns Amaechi not to Resurrect Old Igbo Wounds”. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/abandoned-property-campaign-onoh-warn-amaechi-not-to-resurrect-igbo-old-wounds/
Vanguard (18 August 2017). “We Must Restructure Nigeria Before 2019 - Falae”. Https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/restructure-nigeria-before-2019-falae/eminent-nigerians/
Worldometer (2023). Population of Nigeria (Updated 31 August). https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/nigeria-population/
Zamara, U.S. and Karofi, U.A. (2015). “National Unity: A Catalyst for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria”. Developing Country Studies, Vol.5 (8). www.iiste.org.
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Feb 18, 2025
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Assessing Nigeria’s Post-Civil War Idea of “No Victor No Vanquish” Agenda in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone: A Panacea for National Unity. (2025). Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation , 10(1&2), 98-115. https://doi.org/10.36615/cas98666
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Assessing Nigeria’s Post-Civil War Idea of “No Victor No Vanquish” Agenda in the Southeast Geopolitical Zone: A Panacea for National Unity. (2025). Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation , 10(1&2), 98-115. https://doi.org/10.36615/cas98666