POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN NIGERIA: CAUSES, IMPACTS AND PHILOSOPHIC SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Political instability has remained an inescapable factor in Nigerian nation. This is as it is unabatedly defies the strategies and efforts of well meaning Nigerians, and has continued to eat deep into Nigerian political space. But how and why did political instability become pronounced in Nigerian polity? This paper analytically investigates the causes and impacts of political instability in Nigeria, and proffers some philosophic solutions. The study however finds that among other factors, Nigerian political instability stems from different political understandings, interpretations and applications by different people in government. This is coupled with the inherited colonial system of governance that largely conflicts with the political belief of indigenous Nigerian ethnic groups. The paper also finds out that political instability in Nigeria results to spate of militarized polity, incessant agitations, insurgency, corruption, poor leadership and followership. The study therefore concludes that unless Nigerian society is restructured in a way that gives diverse ethnic groups and citizens a sense of belonging, the country will continue to experience dire political instability.