Elite Conspiracy and Regional Discontent in South-Eastern Nigeria

This paper interrogates the nexus between elite conspiracy and regional discontent in South-Eastern Nigeria through the lens of elite theory and the political economy of exclusion. It contends that the persistent marginalization of the South-East within Nigeria’s federal structure is not solely the outcome of institutional design flaws or historical contingencies, but is significantly driven by strategic collusion among segments of the national elite—both within and outside the region—to maintain asymmetric power relations. The study conceptualizes elite conspiracy as a form of implicit or explicit coordination among political and economic elites aimed at preserving access to state resources, often at the expense of equitable regional representation. It further examines how intra-regional elite fragmentation in the South-East undermines collective political agency, enabling the consolidation of hegemonic narratives that delegitimize local grievances. These dynamics have intensified perceptions of exclusion and catalyzed the resurgence of separatist movements such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), thereby threatening national integration. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in elite interviews, secondary data analysis, and historical interpretation, the paper contributes to the broader discourse on federalism, elite politics, and conflict in postcolonial African states. It concludes by advocating for a recalibration of Nigeria’s federal architecture and the institutionalization of inclusive governance mechanisms as prerequisites for mitigating regional alienation and restoring democratic legitimacy.