OYEGUNLE JOHN OLADAPO
MAKE A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF POLITICS, POWER AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA
Definition of Concepts of Politics
Politics is defined as the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. It is also regarded as the activities, actions and policies that are used to gain and hold power in government or to influence a government. Politics is the process of making collective decision in a community, society or group through application of influence and power. Politics is the contest for power for the distribution of resources in polity. Politics is a process of resolving societal conflicts that arise when determining who gets what, when and how. Politics is the struggle for power for acquisition and distribution of resources. Mao Zedong declared that politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.
Power
Power is the ability to employ force and mobilize resources, energy and information on behalf of a preferred goal Gbadamosi (1996) Power is the probability that a person can carry out his or her own will despite resistance Max Weber (1947). [Power is] the ability of one person or group of persons to influence the behaviour of others, that is, to change the probabilities that others will respond in certain ways to specified stimuli Kaplan (1964).
Sources of power
According to Bauer and Erdogan (2009), there are six sources of power:
Legitimate power is power that comes from ones organizational role or position. For example, a manager can assign tasks to his subordinates, a policeman can arrest a citizen, and a teacher assigns grades to his students. Others comply with the requests these individuals make because they accept the legitimacy of the position, whether they like or agree with the request or not.
Reward power is the ability to grant a reward, such as an increase in pay, a perk, or an attractive job assignment. Reward power tends to accompany legitimate power and is highest when the reward is scarce. Anyone can have reward power in the form of public praise or giving someone something in exchange for their compliance.
Coercive power is the ability to take something away or punish someone for noncompliance. Coercive power often works through fear, and it forces people to do something that ordinarily they would not choose to do. The most extreme example of coercion is government dictators who threaten physical harm for noncompliance.
Expert power comes from knowledge and skills. Technology companies are often characterized by expert, rather than legitimate power. Information power comes from the ability to access to specific information. For example, knowing price information gives a person information power during negotiations. In organizations, a persons social network can either isolate them from information power or serve to create it.
Referent power comes from the personal characteristics of the person such as the degree to which we like, respect, and want to be like them. Referent power is often called charisma -the ability to attract others, win their admiration, and hold them spellbound.
Security is defined by Chambers 21st Century dictionary as protection from physical harm, especially assassination. Security may be considered as assured freedom from poverty or want, precautions taken to ensure against theft, espionage or a person or thing that secures or guarantees Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus, 1992 ). Security is defined as the provision of protection to people against act of violence, famine, poverty, sickness and diseases, disenfranchisement and natural disasters. This definition details every circumstance a man tries to avoid in order to live. National security is defined as the safety of a nation against threat such as terrorism, war or espionage. "The distinctive meaning of national security means freedom from foreign dictation." (Harold Lasswell, 1950). N.B: This assignment emphasizes that politics is a major tool for acquisition of power. It is a contest for power. Nigerian Security: Roles of Politics and Power The role of politics and power in the development of a nation cannot be over emphasized.
Politics have given power to people who have influenced their communities, groups, nations positively by allocating available resources efficiently. In Nigeria however, politics has been viewed as a violent tool to acquire power. Mao Zedongs assertion that politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed does not entirely apply to Nigeria. (Natufe, 2016) noted that politics is war with bloodshed in Nigeria. Politics and the use of the power accrued to it have had more of negative impacts on the country Nigeria than positives. People that have gotten political powers have vastly misused such power to the detriment of the citizenry. Security can be in form of national security, social security, health security, etc. None of these can be adequately guaranteed by those playing the game of politics in Nigeria. (Natufe, 2016) reiterated that engagement in Nigerian politics renders obsolete the concept of fair play and justice in a supposedly federal democratic polity. He reminded us of the events that unfolded on the eve of April 2003 federal elections as reported by THISDAY of the escalation of violence, murders and attempted assassinations of political opponents.
Lets take a look at issues that have posed security threats to Nigeria especially since 1999. Nigeria has experienced: Violent Conflict, Militancy, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Unemployment, Terrorism.
VIOLENT CONFLICT There have been frequent conflicts between communities and most recently between herdsmen and farmers. This herdsman/farmers conflict has been referred to some as a political conflict. This conflict has started as far as cattle rearing began in Nigeria, but at present, politics have crept in. The Politicians at the helm of government have not come out openly to criminalize the activities of these violent herdsmen because of their ethnic attachment to this group of nomads. Politicians have turned the herdsmen/farmer conflict into an easy to sell and buy commodity for campaign as 2019 elections are approaching. This has shown how clueless our politicians are as they use crude measures to acquire power.
MILITANCY The militancy conundrum in Nigeria which is largely attributed to the Niger Delta first arose in the early 1990s over tensions between foreign oil corporations and a number of the Niger Deltas minority ethnic groups who feel they are being exploited, particularly the Ogoni and Ijaw. In January 2006, MEND declared war on the oil industry pending the resolution of long term political grievances relating to poverty and underdevelopment, the poor regulation of an environmentally polluting oil industry and the alienation of local people from rights to land and resources in the Niger Delta. The violence has contributed to Nigerias ongoing energy supply crisis by discouraging foreign investment in new power generation plants in the region. However, in 2009, a presidential amnesty program accompanied with support and training of ex-militants proved to be a success. Jonathans appointment of Timi Alaibe as amnesty coordinator which came against Timpre Sylva sparked political dichotomy in the oil rich state. Alaibe used the militants backing to push his political ambitions.
Armed Robbery Armed robbery is a global issue. In Nigeria, armed robbery which poses as a security threat has been used as a tool to confront and raze political personnel. As seen in the case of Offa Robbery. The senate president Dr. Abubakar Saraki was accused of sponsoring the purchase of weapons for the robbery gang.
Political power recipients in Nigeria have ensured that security in the country is heading south i.e. taken a download dive. They have ensured that: Allocations of projects are not efficiently carried out by allotting such projects to malapropos. In August 10, 2010 James Ibori (former governor) blamed the abandoned projects in the state Delta state on party patronage. He revealed that party pressure had often led to the award of contracts to the members who turned to be inefficient.
Funds allotted to tackle security issues are diverted. As seen in the case of Sambo Dazuki (former national security adviser to the president) who was accused of diverting 1.4 billion. Funds which was meant to be used to purchase weapons to combat the Boko haram insurgency. In 2003, it was also reported that the administration of Olusegun spent about 300 billion on roads that were completely invisible to Nigerians.
CONCLUSION
Politics and power has not been a total advantage to security in Nigeria. In fact political power holders have used security issues to constantly advance their political interest. Only political office holders who pursue national interest agendas will enact policies that prosper national security. Since personal interest comes before national interest, every national security challenge will be seen as a tool to further pursue their personal political interest.
WORKS CITED
Asobie, A. Lecture Notes on security. (Nassarawa state university, Keffi: Unpublished, 2017), 4.
Natufe, I. (2006). Governance and Politics in Nigeria. Staff and Graduate Seminar. benin. Vanguardnews (2018). Vanguard news. Retrieved from vanguardngr.com: www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/saraki-says-police-claim-baseless-allegation/amp/ Nwajiaku-Dahou, K. (2010). The Politics of Amnesty. Notte de ll II ff rr ii.
MAKE A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF POLITICS, POWER AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA
Definition of Concepts of Politics
Politics is defined as the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. It is also regarded as the activities, actions and policies that are used to gain and hold power in government or to influence a government. Politics is the process of making collective decision in a community, society or group through application of influence and power. Politics is the contest for power for the distribution of resources in polity. Politics is a process of resolving societal conflicts that arise when determining who gets what, when and how. Politics is the struggle for power for acquisition and distribution of resources. Mao Zedong declared that politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.
Power
Power is the ability to employ force and mobilize resources, energy and information on behalf of a preferred goal Gbadamosi (1996) Power is the probability that a person can carry out his or her own will despite resistance Max Weber (1947). [Power is] the ability of one person or group of persons to influence the behaviour of others, that is, to change the probabilities that others will respond in certain ways to specified stimuli Kaplan (1964).
Sources of power
According to Bauer and Erdogan (2009), there are six sources of power:
Legitimate power is power that comes from ones organizational role or position. For example, a manager can assign tasks to his subordinates, a policeman can arrest a citizen, and a teacher assigns grades to his students. Others comply with the requests these individuals make because they accept the legitimacy of the position, whether they like or agree with the request or not.
Reward power is the ability to grant a reward, such as an increase in pay, a perk, or an attractive job assignment. Reward power tends to accompany legitimate power and is highest when the reward is scarce. Anyone can have reward power in the form of public praise or giving someone something in exchange for their compliance.
Coercive power is the ability to take something away or punish someone for noncompliance. Coercive power often works through fear, and it forces people to do something that ordinarily they would not choose to do. The most extreme example of coercion is government dictators who threaten physical harm for noncompliance.
Expert power comes from knowledge and skills. Technology companies are often characterized by expert, rather than legitimate power. Information power comes from the ability to access to specific information. For example, knowing price information gives a person information power during negotiations. In organizations, a persons social network can either isolate them from information power or serve to create it.
Referent power comes from the personal characteristics of the person such as the degree to which we like, respect, and want to be like them. Referent power is often called charisma -the ability to attract others, win their admiration, and hold them spellbound.
Security is defined by Chambers 21st Century dictionary as protection from physical harm, especially assassination. Security may be considered as assured freedom from poverty or want, precautions taken to ensure against theft, espionage or a person or thing that secures or guarantees Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus, 1992 ). Security is defined as the provision of protection to people against act of violence, famine, poverty, sickness and diseases, disenfranchisement and natural disasters. This definition details every circumstance a man tries to avoid in order to live. National security is defined as the safety of a nation against threat such as terrorism, war or espionage. "The distinctive meaning of national security means freedom from foreign dictation." (Harold Lasswell, 1950). N.B: This assignment emphasizes that politics is a major tool for acquisition of power. It is a contest for power. Nigerian Security: Roles of Politics and Power The role of politics and power in the development of a nation cannot be over emphasized.
Politics have given power to people who have influenced their communities, groups, nations positively by allocating available resources efficiently. In Nigeria however, politics has been viewed as a violent tool to acquire power. Mao Zedongs assertion that politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed does not entirely apply to Nigeria. (Natufe, 2016) noted that politics is war with bloodshed in Nigeria. Politics and the use of the power accrued to it have had more of negative impacts on the country Nigeria than positives. People that have gotten political powers have vastly misused such power to the detriment of the citizenry. Security can be in form of national security, social security, health security, etc. None of these can be adequately guaranteed by those playing the game of politics in Nigeria. (Natufe, 2016) reiterated that engagement in Nigerian politics renders obsolete the concept of fair play and justice in a supposedly federal democratic polity. He reminded us of the events that unfolded on the eve of April 2003 federal elections as reported by THISDAY of the escalation of violence, murders and attempted assassinations of political opponents.
Lets take a look at issues that have posed security threats to Nigeria especially since 1999. Nigeria has experienced: Violent Conflict, Militancy, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Unemployment, Terrorism.
VIOLENT CONFLICT There have been frequent conflicts between communities and most recently between herdsmen and farmers. This herdsman/farmers conflict has been referred to some as a political conflict. This conflict has started as far as cattle rearing began in Nigeria, but at present, politics have crept in. The Politicians at the helm of government have not come out openly to criminalize the activities of these violent herdsmen because of their ethnic attachment to this group of nomads. Politicians have turned the herdsmen/farmer conflict into an easy to sell and buy commodity for campaign as 2019 elections are approaching. This has shown how clueless our politicians are as they use crude measures to acquire power.
MILITANCY The militancy conundrum in Nigeria which is largely attributed to the Niger Delta first arose in the early 1990s over tensions between foreign oil corporations and a number of the Niger Deltas minority ethnic groups who feel they are being exploited, particularly the Ogoni and Ijaw. In January 2006, MEND declared war on the oil industry pending the resolution of long term political grievances relating to poverty and underdevelopment, the poor regulation of an environmentally polluting oil industry and the alienation of local people from rights to land and resources in the Niger Delta. The violence has contributed to Nigerias ongoing energy supply crisis by discouraging foreign investment in new power generation plants in the region. However, in 2009, a presidential amnesty program accompanied with support and training of ex-militants proved to be a success. Jonathans appointment of Timi Alaibe as amnesty coordinator which came against Timpre Sylva sparked political dichotomy in the oil rich state. Alaibe used the militants backing to push his political ambitions.
Armed Robbery Armed robbery is a global issue. In Nigeria, armed robbery which poses as a security threat has been used as a tool to confront and raze political personnel. As seen in the case of Offa Robbery. The senate president Dr. Abubakar Saraki was accused of sponsoring the purchase of weapons for the robbery gang.
Political power recipients in Nigeria have ensured that security in the country is heading south i.e. taken a download dive. They have ensured that: Allocations of projects are not efficiently carried out by allotting such projects to malapropos. In August 10, 2010 James Ibori (former governor) blamed the abandoned projects in the state Delta state on party patronage. He revealed that party pressure had often led to the award of contracts to the members who turned to be inefficient.
Funds allotted to tackle security issues are diverted. As seen in the case of Sambo Dazuki (former national security adviser to the president) who was accused of diverting 1.4 billion. Funds which was meant to be used to purchase weapons to combat the Boko haram insurgency. In 2003, it was also reported that the administration of Olusegun spent about 300 billion on roads that were completely invisible to Nigerians.
CONCLUSION
Politics and power has not been a total advantage to security in Nigeria. In fact political power holders have used security issues to constantly advance their political interest. Only political office holders who pursue national interest agendas will enact policies that prosper national security. Since personal interest comes before national interest, every national security challenge will be seen as a tool to further pursue their personal political interest.
WORKS CITED
Asobie, A. Lecture Notes on security. (Nassarawa state university, Keffi: Unpublished, 2017), 4.
Natufe, I. (2006). Governance and Politics in Nigeria. Staff and Graduate Seminar. benin. Vanguardnews (2018). Vanguard news. Retrieved from vanguardngr.com: www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/saraki-says-police-claim-baseless-allegation/amp/ Nwajiaku-Dahou, K. (2010). The Politics of Amnesty. Notte de ll II ff rr ii.
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