Economic Resource and Political Stability: The Niger Delta Quagmire

Abstract

The issue ofresource agitation has continued to generate serious concerns and discussions in Nigeria. In fact, the spillage emanating from this tends to spread across the boundaries of Nigeria as a result of the implications it bears on the oil industry and the industrial life line of western nations and their allies. The resource controversy in the Niger Delta is viewed by some as a paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty and as an issue exacerbated by Nigeria’s disabled federalism that tends to undermine the rights of the minorities. This paper tends to examine the linkages between resource disharmony and national survival with a view to highlighting the challenges it poses to political stability of Nigeria.

Keywords: Resources, stability, development, Niger Delta