Revolutionary Pressures and Social Movements in Nigeria: The Niger Delta Experience

Abstract

More often than not, social movements by their very nature are predicated on a penchant for change from below which embodies a revolution. An x-ray of the peculiar experience of the Nigerian polity with specific reference to the Niger Delta reveals deep-seated disconte nt whether expressed or otherwise. Right from the pre to post-independence era, the manifestations of gross marginalization have formed the pivot on which revolutionary pressures and social movements revolve in the Niger Delta Region. Another dimension of this paper is a critique which adopts the political economy model in subjecting the variegated agitations in our study area to the crucibles of scholarly analysis. There is an ethnic bias in the struggle for redress which, if not checkmated, might signal the emissary of national disintegration. In the light of ‘failed states’ our discourse will be incisively posited.