CONFLICT OF NATIONAL INTEREST AND PUBLIC OPINION IN NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

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CONFLICT OF NATIONAL INTEREST AND PUBLIC OPINION IN NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Abstract:

This study sets out to investigate the conflicting positions Nigeria’s National interest and the opinion of the Nigerian citizenry maintained in matters of foreign policy and diplomatic relations. In other words, the thrust of this study was to showcase with specific reference to Nigeria-Israel relations (1973-1992) how the opinion of Nigerian Citizens is often at variance with the nation’s national interest in the conduct of Nigerian foreign policy and diplomatic relations over the years since independence. It also seeks to analyse this conflicting position vis-a-vis the long drawn debate on whether or not Nigeria was to resume diplomatic relations with the state of Israel broken in 1973. In accomplishing this task, the research study relied on secondary data from textbooks, newspapers, magazines and conference communiques. The data was presented by direct and indirect reporting of some relevant portions in the published works of others who dealt with the subjects of Nigeria-Israel relations, Nigeria-Middle East Policy, the practice of Diplomacy in Nigeria and the conduct of Nigerian Foreign Policy and International Relations. The study made a thorough analysis and assessment of the various arguments advanced by individuals, groups, religious and other voluntary organisations, media houses, institutions, conferences and various regimes for or against normalisation of diplomatic relations with Israel. This research study discovered that except for a very few of them, the totality of the arguments and or opinion presented were grossly insincere to the ideals of the nation’s national interest. Arguements advanced were either meant to serve sectional interest, religious interest or elite interest. Government which was suppose to be a defender of the nations interest and an arbiter in the controversy took side with the elite class. This was particularly so with the Government of General Ibrahim Babangida which restored relations with Israel in 1992 purely to serve elites economic interest in the guise of defending the nation’s interest. This decision was seen to have overtly served the interest of those who wanted the relation restored, but alas it wasn’t the case. Contenders in the arguement for and against including those who relied on Camp David Accords of 1979 all lost to elites interest. This study identified an overwhelming elite dominance in the arguements and final decision to restore relations with Israel in particular and in the entire conduct of Nigerias’ foreign policy and diplomatic relations in general. The study therefore recommends a wider consultation before taking any major foreign policy decision in order to lessen drastically the conflict arising from such unilateral decisions in future. The public including University students should also be properly educated on the nation’s foreign policy orientations, objectives and goals in order to foster an understanding of the nation’s foreign policy and lessen the conflict between public opinion and National interest arising from such public ignorance. Certainly, the future of a responsive, enduring and successful Nigerian foreign policy and diplomatic relations depends largely on the domestic support government would be able to sustain in this endeavour

CONFLICT OF NATIONAL INTEREST AND PUBLIC OPINION IN NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

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