Politics and Insecurity in Ikwerre Ethnic Nationalityin  Rivers State, Nigeria

Emeodu Elijah  Nwabueze; Etire John  George; Oscar Inowei  Alabo; Ezike Kenneth  C.

doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/M9KYT

Emeodu Elijah Nwabueze Department of Sociology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Etire John George Department of Sociology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Oscar Inowei Alabo Department of Sociology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Ezike Kenneth C. Department of Sociology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M9KYT

Keywords: Politics, Insecurity, Electoral violence, Cultist

Abstract

The reoccurring violence generated through politics gave momentum to the study onpolitics and insecurity in Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State, Nigeria. In this, the work established that there is sustained insecurity due to politics. The study adopted two objectives and two research questions which served asa guide to the study. The study considered various conceptual reviews and adopted Robert Merton's anomie-strain theory as its theoretical framework to explain issues on politics and insecurity. Furthermore, the research design used for this study was the survey design. The study area is Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State. The sample size was 400 respondents, while the sampling techniques used were purposive and quota sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was the use of a questionnaire.The findings confirmed that insecurity exists and is caused by political actors. The activities of ballot box snatching shooting of guns during the electoral process, which led to various deaths through the use of political thugs and cultists, serves as an indication of political induced insecurity. Again, the study confirms that the causes of this insecurity are due to political parties' struggle’ desire, individual ambition, and feelings to be godfathers, amongst others. The study thus concluded and recommendedthat since politicians are contributing to insecurity in Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the masses should rise and have an understanding towards the selection of their candidates regardless of their political party, ethnic or tribe, religion or educational qualifications.

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