Why Southern Nigeria politicians will continue to struggle for relevance in Nigeria political space. By Chief Joe Daniels Umezulike
The lack of unity among Southern politicians in Nigeria has been a significant challenge in national politics. Unlike their Northern counterparts, who often present a united front on national issues, Southern politicians tend to be fragmented along regional lines—South West, South East, and South South. This division weakens their collective bargaining power and prevents them from effectively pursuing common interests.
Why Are Southern Politicians Divided?
1. Ethnic and Regional Loyalties:
The South is made up of multiple ethnic groups with distinct historical and political experiences. While the North largely identifies under the Hausa-Fulani political structure, the South is divided among the Yoruba (South West), Igbo (South East), and various ethnic groups in the South South. These groups often prioritize regional interests over a unified Southern agenda.
2. Political Party Differences:
In many cases, Southern politicians align themselves with different political parties, making it difficult to forge a common stance. For instance, the South West has historically leaned towards progressive politics (e.g., the Action Group and later the APC), while the South East has traditionally supported opposition parties (e.g., PDP and LP). The South South, on the other hand, has often played a balancing role, sometimes aligning with national power structures rather than forming a unified regional bloc.
3. Economic and Resource Control Interests:
The South South, being rich in oil, has its own agenda centered around resource control, while the South East is focused on issues of marginalization and secessionist agitations. The South West, with a strong economic base in Lagos and other commercial centers, often prioritizes economic policies over regional unity. These differences make it difficult for Southern politicians to unite under a single national vision.
4. External Political Manipulations:
Historically, some political actors have exploited these divisions to prevent Southern unity. The British colonial strategy of divide and rule laid the foundation for regional mistrust, and successive governments have capitalized on these differences to prevent a strong Southern coalition.
The Consequences of Southern Disunity
Weaker Bargaining Power: The inability of the South to speak with one voice means they often struggle to negotiate favorable policies at the national level.
Missed Opportunities for Leadership: Unlike the North, which has produced multiple Nigerian leaders through collective agreement, the South remains divided, reducing its chances of producing consensus presidential candidates.
Policy Instability: With different regions pushing different agendas, there is no consistent Southern political strategy to drive economic and social development in the region.
The Way Forward
To strengthen Southern unity, political leaders from the three regions must:
1. Develop a Common Agenda: Identify shared interests such as economic development, security, and political inclusion, and work towards them as a united front.
2. Promote Interregional Collaboration: The South West, South East, and South South must engage in dialogues and political alliances to ensure they are not exploited by external forces.
3. Encourage Political Negotiation and Compromise: Rather than competing against each other, Southern politicians should seek common ground in leadership selection and policy formulation.
Until Southern politicians recognize the power of unity, they will continue to struggle against a more coordinated Northern political structure. –
By Chief Joe Daniels Umezulike
03/28/2025
Chief Joe Daniels Umezulike is the
President of “New Nigerian Mandate”
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