Pressure groups are organized groups of people with a common agreed set of objectives that
always have political under tones. Pressure groups are also known as interest groups. Pressure groups
usually work towards influencing government policies with the intention of
actualizing the interest of their
members, and their people
Pressure groups are always known by restricted membership to people who are
commonly dominated in similar interests. whose membership is not
compulsory but barely open
only to those
particular people who are moved by the
spirit of patriotism to create impacts of relevance to
their people
Pressure
groups primary aim and objectives
are to keep government on the alert and also generate a sense of belonging
Pressure groups are of different types we have labour
groups, cause groups , produce groups,
professional groups and ethnic or
national pressure groups
All these pressure groups ahs one thing in common.
Thing the desire to create impacts through influencing the existing government
in power. These interest groups can
achieve their goals and objectives through different strategies such as employment of protests strikes and demonstrations which could either
come up through a peaceful movement or
through violent movement. They can as well threaten the existing government by
issuing ultimatum with which its demands will be met. And the government failure to comply with
their demands may result to strike or demonstration. Theses interest groups can
also used propaganda through the use of mass media, even land bills.
Moreso, lobbying is another means or strategy, which
pressure groups, can sue to achieve their aims and objectives. This lobbying
could direct and indirect and could take
a form of inducement or outright blackmail the government some
of these pressure groups can
as well sponsor their members for an
election. This helps them to have direct
access to the apparatus of the state.
Below are examples of pressure groups in Nigeria,
movement for the survival of Ogoni
people (MOSOP), Odua peoples congress
(OPC), Boko Haram etc