Towards a New Political Economy of the Niger Delta Question in Nigeria

Abstract

The major argument of this piece is that a holistic comprehension of the Niger Delta Question (NDQ) within the context of the overarching Nigerian National Question (NNQ) is a sine qua non for effective policy and related intervention in the crisis. The NDQ, as crucially important as it is, will remain a festering sore as long as it is treated as if it is sui generis; as if it is a political economy issue distinct from related political economies of state neglect and an alliance of state and global forces at the expense of the Nigerian people. The paper also underlines the criticality of geopolitics and contemporary globalization to a full understanding of the behaviour of the Nigerian state in relation, first, to transnational capital and, subsequently, to Nigerians. In order to effectively address the NDQ, it is imperative to simultaneously interrogate the crisis of the Nigerian state; its undue externalization and extroversion; and its uses, misuses and abuses of power, particularly in tandem with major oil multinationals and Western/other powers.

Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the useful comments of the editor and two anonymous reviewers on an earlier draft of this article.

Notes

All quotations cited in Mail & Guardian, 4–10 April 2008, p. 25.

Progressive Nigerians from all walks of life had been demanding a Sovereign National Conference since the Babangida years (1985–93) to debate and resolve the Nigerian National Question.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adekunle Amuwo

∗ Professor of Political Science and International Relations, School of Politics, Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), P/Bag X54001, Durban, RSA. Email: [email protected]/[email protected]