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Civil Society and Opposition Politics in Nigeria (1985-1999)

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Civil Society and Opposition Politics in Nigeria (1985-1999) CIVIL SOCIETY AND OPPOSITION POLITICS IN NIGERIA (1985-1999) Olubukola Stella Akintola A dissertation submitted in fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree ofDoctor ofPhilosophy in Political Science in the school ofHuman and Social Studies, Faculty ofHuman and Management Sciences, University ofNatal, Pie.termaritzburg, South Africa. December 2002. / ABSTRACT This study investigates the role of civil society in the Nigerian polity between 1985 and 1999. The institutions that constitute civil society, particularly human rights Qrganizatio~ professional group~njyon-governmental organizations have played crucial roles in checking the excesses ofNigerian governments. They have also -served not only as instruments for protecting human rights and guarding against the aouse-of the rule of law in the absence of a constitution but also in the advocacy of democracy in Nigeria. e study examines generally and in theoretical terms not only t e relationship betwe n 'state and civil society but also how far, and in what ways the state can affect or engage, purposefully, civil society in general. Drawing on de Tocquiville, Diamond, Gramsci, Hegel, Hobbes, Mamdani, Marx, and Mill, the study attempts to cut through the definitional quagmire by defining civil society as an arena made up ofvoluntary associations with differing interests and objectives and anchored within the space between state and society, which work towards those diverse societal interests with the aim either ofpromoting change or maintaining the status quo. The struggle against military dictatorshijJ in Nigeria gave rise to a large and complex civil society. The study examines the activities and / internal problems ofthese organizations. Specifically, it focuses on the role and effectiveness ofcivil society groups as instruments ofdemocratic change in Nigeria. In this regard, it examines extensively their oppositional stance against military . dictatorship and assesses their effectiveness in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria. In essence, then, the study seeks to provide insight not only about the workings ofNigerian civil society organizations but also their potential as a vehicle for emplacing transparent and effective governance. To drive the point home, the study examines three major civil society organizations (representing different categories of civil society) that played crucial roles in the struggle for good governance and the protection offundamental human rights in Nigeria. These are the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Movement for the \.1Survival ofthe Ogoni Peo~ (MOSOP), and the Campaign for Democracy (CD). I Loo15ing ~ystematically at eacnof the three cases, it investigates the dangerous and, I often, bmtal struggle bymembers ofthe civil society as they sought to compel- , successive military regimes to adhere to pnnciplesof good governance, respect for basiC-hum<l!1 rights, transformative development, arid-democracy.· A-testimony of their relative success in pursuit oftheir appositional agenda was reflected not only in the political transition activities of each military government but also in their ability to isolate recalcitrant regimes and externalize the struggle by sensitizing the international community as happened under General Sani Abacha. Nevertheless, the ability and capacity ofcivil society to sustain its role as a balancing force between the Nigerian state and people remains in doubt due both to continuing uneasiness in its relationship with the state and to organizational and operational .{ problems associated with internal factionalization, proneness to infiltration and \ sabotage, victimization by obnoxious laws and decrees, inadequacy of funding, weak operating capacity, fragile organizational struchlres, and poor alliance and networking arrangements. The Shldy argues that in order to provide a constructive challenge to \ the authority and power ofthe state and to achieve their transformative agenda for II social, economic, and political development ofNigeria, civil society groups would need to wrestle effectively with some ofthese problems. III DECLARATION I declare that except where explicitly stated to the contrary, this dissertation -- "Civil Society And Opposition Politics In Nigeria (1985-1999)" -- is my original work. 04 t..\,~ ~o-LA Bukola Akintola December 2002 IV DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, The Alpha and The Omega.... And also to my precious little gift, OLUWAFERANMI. .. '" v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I want to express my profound gratitude to Dr. Ufo Okeke Uzodike for his encouragement and for painstakingly supervising this work. I am also very grateful to Dr. Laurence Piper for his helpful contributions as my co-supervisor and to Jasper Lee for his invaluable assistance in editing some of the chapters. I am indebted to my parents, Chiefand Chief (Mrs) 1.0 Akintola for their support and faith in me, though I sometimes let them down. To my brother, Joseph Ayodele Akintola, though our relationship is 'strange' (at least to me), you remain an integral part ofmy life (you can't get rid of me! !). To any member of my family who can truly say he/she has been of help to me (and I mean truly!), I say a BIG thank you. To Professor Julius Ihonvbere, words are not enough to express my heart. You made this possible. You made me believe in myself and urged me to press on every time I wanted to give up. To Dr Abubakar Momoh, Comrade, you sure will never know what you have done for me in this world. Thank you for guiding me and for your assistance with materials for this work. To Kwasi Yobo, child of Ananse, you are more than just my best friend ... You understood and helped when I was at my lowest ebb, and there was no one to turn to. I am at a loss as to how to thank you; I am sure that it is only the Good Lord that can adequately reward you... I owe so much to so many people and it is difficult to isolate particular acts ofhelp or kindness. To everyone who assisted me in one way or the other throughout my stay at the University of Natal, I say: Ngiyabonga kakhulu (Thank you very much). Without financial support, this work would been impossible. I am grateful to Ford Foundation for awarding me a scholarship for this work, and also to the University ofNatal, Pietermaritzburg for financial assistance, including the Leif Egelimd Award (2002). To the Only Wise One be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, now and forever. .. I say: THANK YOU ALL. GOD BLESS yOU.... BUKOLA AKINTOLA (2002) VI ABBREVIATIONS AG Action Group ASUU Academic StaffUnion ofUniversities ' AWU Abeokuta Women's Union CAN Christian Association ofNigeria . D Campaign for Democracy , CDHR Committee for the Defense of Human Rights CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CLO Civil Liberties Organization . CNC Committee for National Consensus \ CRP Constitutional Rights Project CSU Nigeria Civil Service Union ltDPN Democratic Party ofNigeria EMU Eastern Mandate Union EU European Union FEC Federal Executive Council FEDECO Federal Electoral Commission FEM Foreign Exchange Market FNWS Federation ofNigerian Women's Societies GDM Grassroots Democratic Movement GNPP Great Nigerian People's Party IMF International Monetary Fund INEC Independent National Electoral Commission ING Interim National Government JAC Joint Action Committee LC Liberal Convention vu MAN Manufacturers Association ofNigeria MHWUN Medical and Health Workers Union ofNigeria MNR Movement for National Reformation MOSOP Movement for the Survival ofthe Ogoni People NADECO National Democratic Coalition NADL National Association ofDemocratic Lawyers NANM National Association ofNurses and Midwives NANS National Association ofNigerian Student NARD National Association ofResident Doctors NBA Nigerian Bar Association. NCNC National Council ofNigeria and the Cameroons NCPN National Center Party ofNigeria . NCWS National Council ofWomen's Societies NEC National Electoral Commission' NGOs Non-governmental organizations ,/'NLC Nigerian Labour Congress NLP Nigerian Labour Party . NMA Nigerian Medical Association NNC Nigerian National Congress NPC Northern People's Congress NPN National Party ofNigeria NPP Nigerian People's Party NRC National Republican Convention NSCIA Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSO National Security Organization NUBIFIE National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees NUJ Nigerian Union ofJournalists Vlll NUNS National Union ofNigerian Students NUPENG National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPMTPAM National Union ofPharmacists, Medical Technologists, and Professions Allied to Medicine NUS Nigerian Union of Students NUT Nigerian Union ofTeachers NWU Nigerian Women's Union NYCOP National Youth Council ofOgoni People NYM Nigerian Youth Movement ~OATUU Organization of African Trade Union Unity OPEC Organization ofPetroleum Exporting Countries OTUWA Organization ofTrade Unions of West Africa PENGASSAN Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior StaffAssociation ofNigeria PFN People's Front ofNigeria PMAN Performing Musicians Association ofNigeria PRC Provisional Ruling Council PRP People's Redemption Party PSP People's Solidarity Party PTDA Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association RPN Republican Party ofNigeria RSIS River State Internal Security Task Force SAP Stmctural Adjustment Program SDP Social Democratic Party SFEM Second-Tier Foreign Exchange Market SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SSAUTHRAI Senior StaffAssociation ofUniversities, Teaching Hospitals, Research, and Allied
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