The Question of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in Nigeria: A Reflection on Present Realities

INTRODUCTION

One of the cardinal objectives of the Nigerian-state as defined by its constitution is to build a just and egalitarian society where every member has the right to participate in its governance process. This declaration presupposes that every citizen has the right to live and conduct his/her legitimate business freely in any part the country without the fear of intimidation, discrimination, exclusion or forced ejection. Egalitarianism ensures that the process and pattern of citizens’ penetration and participation in the governance process is not defined by one’s status, creed or indigeneity. Egalitarianism is firmly tied to the principle of equality and fair treatment of all in the society. These are essential elements for integration and harmony in a polity. Such a polity reflects an open, yet secured society, where the exercise of one’s rights does not impinge on the rights of others. Contrarily, a polity is not egalitarian if her citizens are deprived of participation in policy issues that affect them, where there is arbitrary exercise of laws, absence of accountability, a corrupt justice system, clientelism and discrimination.

A polity that is characterized by these elements encourages unequal relations among her citizens. The problem associated with inequality is that some individuals or groups are deprived of fully enjoying their socio-political rights as enshrined in the constitution. The consequence of such deprivation is that some groups are barred from fully engaging in the social, political and economic activities of their community. This untoward pattern of relationship only engenders exclusion and alienation of some groups from the mainstream society and it is a major source of frustration responsible for igniting conflict and criminality. Artificially imposed human limitation remains a serious problem when the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is brought into context.

The conditions that facilitate the infraction of IDPs rights are the same factors responsible for their forced migration from their homeland. Although, in most cases, internal displacement is caused by local internal conditions, its consequences have impact on the larger international community. The issue of IDPs transcends local nation-state, it is an international problem. Whether local or national, IDPs issues and challenges have severe consequences for global pattern of relations. This is evidenced by the fact that most national governments are grossly unable to mitigate or properly manage the challenges associated with internal displacement neither are they able to stop its spill-over to other neighboring countries.

Internal displacement is the forced migration of persons from their homeland due to some unpleasant conditions that the affected or their government could not resolve immediately. Internal displacement is associated with personal or group losses, abuses, deprivation and dependency. The affected persons are desirous of immediate protection and assistance away from their original homes. The factors that generate IDPs vary from country to country. It is however, clear from the extant literatures that the one recurring factor responsible for displacement in most Third World societies is conflict. Other factors responsible for displacement are natural disasters, violation of human rights, and even government.¹ While some governments are responsible for generating displacement for genuine reasons (development purposes) other government-induced displacement result from bad governance and oppressive regimes.² From Africa to Asia and from Europe to America, IDP issues are ever present. It is estimated that there are about 25 to 27 million IDPs all over the world who have not crossed international borders. Out of this figure, over 95% of IDPs reside in developing societies with Africa accounting for about 11 million of the total figure. Albeit,

internal displacement can by no means be labeled an African problem. In Latin America 3.7 million people are internally displaced. In Asia and the Pacific the number reaches 3.3 million. Europe has an IDP population of 3 million and in the Middle East over 2 million displaced can be counted at present. Thus, it is safe to say that the crisis of internal displacement is global in dimension.³

The global dimension of IDP had evoked international efforts aimed at evolving the...