Economic Disaster and Crisis of South East Development in Nigeria: The Challenge of State and Local Government Administrators

Abstract

The prevailing economic disaster and crisis of the south east regional development have been a serious concern for the people and all advocates of good governance in Nigeria. For a far too long, the south east has been grappling with the issues of economic business failures, crisis of development, marginalization and underdevelopment and now insecurity which is hindering the full integration and full participation of Ndigbo in the Nigeria project. The study aims at finding out what are the major causes of the economic disaster and crisis of development and the best strategic measures to put an end to this unhealthy development. In order to achieve the objective, the researcher has employed a descriptive survey approach and analysis of data generated from both primary and secondary sources. Also, the researcher explored some relevant theories like the charismatic leadership and brain drain theories as his explanatory tools. In the light of these theoretical framework, and analysis of data, the findings revealed that carriage, bloodletting, death and massive destruction of Igbo tribe markets and numerous business outfits abound in devastated states. Pandemonium prevails among the citizens as a result of Monday sit-at-home order by separatist agitators, the government and security agencies are not providing adequate protection of the lives and properties, marginalization and absence of the rule of law and justice are treated with ignominy among others. It was recommended that the south east region should be provided with adequate security against carnage, and massive killings of innocent citizens by separatist agitators, the governors to stop the use of force against the sit-at-home but to employ a collaborative engagement and a peaceful dialogue to restore peace, the government to provide compensation to the residents in the devastated states and the administrators must use their constitutional powers to drive home a meaningful socio-economic development to the region. Above all, the federal government should forthwith allow the democratic system of government to thrives in Nigeria where the rule of law and justice will be respected for a lasting peace and sustainable development in the south east region and Nigeria at large.