This research is a meticulous examination of the marginalisation experiences that are inherent in Nigerian politics, with a particular focus on the marginalisation of the Niger Delta people in the South-South and the Igbos in the South East geopolitical zones. The research revealed that the inhabitants of these regions share marginalisation experiences in a variety of dimensions, which are particularly relevant to the South-South and Nigerian-Biafran civil wars. The analysis employed the theory of Relative Deprivation. The theory posits that individuals are compelled to express their dissatisfaction through conflicts when they perceive that they are being denied specific rights and privileges in comparison to a reference group. This has been the case in Nigerian federalism throughout the Fourth Republic. The study subsequently emphasised the necessity of establishing synergy between the South-South and South East geopolitical zones. Additionally, it suggested a solution that would result in a relatively weak federal government and robust federating units.
Stella, E. C., Emmanuel, A., & Theresa, E. K. (2026). The Politics of Marginalisation: A Major Challenge of Fourth Republican Nigeria. British Journal of Advanced Research, 1(4), Article 004. https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-JX7HFVV7
MLA
Stella, Ezea Chinedu, Azowue Emmanuel, and Ezugwu Kelechi Theresa. "The Politics of Marginalisation: A Major Challenge of Fourth Republican Nigeria." British Journal of Advanced Research, vol. 1, no. 4, 2026, article 004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-JX7HFVV7
Chicago
Stella, Ezea Chinedu, Azowue Emmanuel, and Ezugwu Kelechi Theresa. "The Politics of Marginalisation: A Major Challenge of Fourth Republican Nigeria." British Journal of Advanced Research 1, no. 4 (2026): 004. https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-JX7HFVV7
References
Agbese, P. (2003). Federalism and the minority question in Nigeria. In Gana, A. T. & Egwu, S.G. (Eds.). Federalism in Africa: The Imperative of democratic development, Vol. 2. Eritrea African World Press Inc.
Agu, S.U. (2004). Fiscal federalism and resource control in Nigeria: Lessons from United States of America. In Onuoha J. & Okpoko, P.U. (Eds.). Ethnic nationalism & democratic consolidation, perspectives from Nigeria and the United States of America. Nsukka: Great Ap Express Publishers Ltd.
Dibie, R. (2000). Understanding public policy in Nigeria: A twenty-first century approach. Lagos: Mbeyi & Associates (Nig) Ltd.
Eke, O.A. (2010). Politics, oil wealth and crisis of development, Nigeria’s fifty years of oil stain and infamy. Abakiliki: Willy Rose and Appleseed Publishing Coy.
Ezirim, G.E. (2008). Petropolitics & environmental criminality in the Niger Delta: Advocacy for enforcement of global inventions. Nsukka: Dept. of Political Science, UNN.
Ibodje, S.W.E. (2008). Oil and the Niger Delta. In Oyovbaire, S. (Eds.). Governance and politics in Nigeria, the IBB & OBJ years. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.
Isumonah, V. A. (2005). Southern minorities, hegemony politics and revenue allocation in Nigeria. In Onwudiwe, E. & Suberu, R. T. (Eds.). Nigerian federalism in crisis, critical perspectives and political options. Ibadan: Programme on Ethnic and Federal Studies.
Jega, A. M. (2007). Democracy, good governance and development in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.
Michaela, S. and Rabea, K.H. (2019). Relative deprivation theory Retrieved from https// link Springer.com/reference workentry/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0753-5-2457 on 03/12/2019
Nwachukwu, K.O. (2004). Ethnic nationalism, resource control and fiscal federalism. In Onuoha, J. & Okpoko, P.U. (Eds.). Ethnics nationalism & democratic consolidation, perspective from Nigeria and the United States of America. Nsukka: Great Ap Express Publishers Ltd.
Nwokocha, B.O. (2017). Politics and administration in Nigeria. Aba: Eagle Publishers.
Ugochukwu, O. (2004). Ethnic nationalism and socio-economic development: The Niger Delta perspective. In Onuoha, J. and Okpoko, P.U. (Eds.). Ethnic nationalism & democratic consolidation, perspectives from Nigeria and the United States of America. Nsukka: Great Ap Express Publishers Ltd.
Uwalaka, J. (2013). The struggle for an inclusive Nigeria: Igbos to be or not to be? A treatise on Igbo political personality and survival in Nigeria. Enugu: Snapp Press Ltd.
