Southeastern Nigeria
Southeastern Nigeria consists of present Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Anambra State, Bayelsa State, Cross River State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State, Imo State, and Rivers State of Nigeria.
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[edit] "Precolonial" era
Before Nigeria became a country through British colonial government, what is now known as Southeastern Nigeria was home to many ethnic groups such as the Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio, Efik, Ekoi, etc. Although these groups mostly had democratic systems of government, there were several kingdoms. Some of these kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Nri, Akwa Akpa (Calabar), Aro Confederacy, Opobo etc. had considerable influence in the region. The region was diverse, yet the groups mostly lived in peaceful coexistence.
[edit] Colonial era
British conquest of the region in the early 20th century negatively affected the relationship between the various Southeastern groups as they engaged in unhealthy competition for British jobs.
[edit] Nigerian–Biafran War
After two coups, a series of massacres orchestrated by Northern Muslims against Eastern Nigerians living in Northern Nigeria took place in 1966 which resulted in the Eastern region declaring the independent state of Biafra in May 1967 and eventually the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). After three years of tenacious resistance, Biafra was defeated.
[edit] Modern
The civil war worsened the relationship between the Southeastern groups immediately after the war. However, recently the relationship has been gradually improving.
