The use and ‘ab-use’ of intelligence in a transitional democracy: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

This work is concise evaluation of the use and abuse of the intelligence gathering efforts by any given State. This trend tends to more pronounced in such transitional democracies such as that of Nigeria. In carrying out this research, there was extensive reliance on ethnographic observation of events as they evolved, and are still evolving over the years in Nigeria spanning about fifteen decades. Other sources of information include critical analysis of archival Documents/ Reports, Nigerian Newspapers, Magazines, Academic Journals, Articles, Books and Internet Based Documented Source Materials. Similarly, data generated from convenient sample (clarification) interviews of selected individuals and officials from whom, in my opinion have something relevant to the validity and reliability of the work was used. The work tried to make modest, but valid attempt to identify the factors that have the capacity to increasingly dent the worth of the intelligence gathering capacity of the Nigerian State. These factors include; Colonialism, neo-colonialism, militarism of the polity, legitimacy crisis, and a significantly stunted democratization process in Nigeria. The study found out that a State battling with the aforesaid crises will most likely fall prey to punitive intelligence gathering that will serve the interest of the minority ruling and oppressive class. In the same way, intelligence gathering will be targeted at dissent and opposition voices, groups and regions to silence them and consolidate illegitimate political power. Nigeria as a nation state has been grappling with these myriads of problems in ways that so far, her intelligence community has been transformed into a tool of repression leading to magnified escalation of security crisis in the country .It is therefore pertinent that democratic principles including separation of powers be implemented to ensure parliamentary and judicial oversight of the intelligence sector to reduce executive recklessness and manipulation of the intelligence sector for undue executive advantage as a state policy.