Conflicts Resolution in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for Peace
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
This study seeks to achieve the following objectives:
(i) Provide a historical background to Conflict resolution in Nigerian using Ife-Modakeke Crisis as a case study
(ii) Examine the origin of the Ife-Modakeke Crisis
(iii) Analyse the various factors responsible for the continuous mayhem between Ife and Modakeke despite the intervention of the Nigerian Government (as the third party)
(iv) Discuss the implications of Ife-Modakeke Crisis and the conflict resolution adopted in the area on the future of peace making among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptualization
According to Miller & Ireland(2005), conflict is a confrontation between parties with incompatible goals, it is pursuing interest by groups or individuals with varied reasons which is inevitable, and a process of social life and development (Lyons, 2009). It is also seen as the competition and claims over values, status, power and resource that are usually scarce and thus, each party struggles to dominate and eliminate the other (Coser, 1967). Parties involved in this struggle usually devise all kinds of strategies to appropriate the resources to themselves not minding if the rival is injured in the process. It strains relationship, and that in turn evokes emotions that progresses to conflict (Akpuru-Aja, 2009). Conflicts can occur in any society, no matter how sophisticated if there are misunderstanding, hostile utterances and action that seem to put the other party’s interest in disadvantage (Akpuru-Aja, 2009). Conflict according to Dougherty & Pfaltzgraff (1997), usually refers to a situation where one group that is recognized in a society either tribal, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, socioeconomic or political will engage another in a conscious and measured opposition because of competing and incompatible goals and pursuits. It is imperative, therefore, to understand that conflict is inevitable in any human society, and has the capacity either for destruction, or to cause positive social change (Kriesberg, 2007). To minimize destruction and maximize productive outcomes, it is important to understand the processes of conflict in its natural and basic forms. Conflict does bring about changes in human society and life; and causes, sources and processes can be turned into life building end (Augsberger, 1992). Emelonye & Buergenthal, (2011) agrees with this submission when he reiterated it by saying: Without conflict there would be no call for conflict resolution. Before embarking on a review of strategies for conflict resolution, it is helpful to examine the phenomenon of conflict itself. Conflict is not only perceived as destructive and harmful and requires resolution but also, constructive challenging and dynamic acting as a catalyst for change (Ausberger, 1992 page -46). Conflict usually are caused by competing parties over an interested environment that may have resources, and thus the desire to exploit and control that valuable resources triggers conflict (Onigu-Otite & Albert, 1999). Often, a change in the social environment and discovery of some resources in that environment also exacerbate the quest for physical control of that environment and that causes conflict which usually involves individuals and groups who intend to use the resources to further their goals. Similarly, Coser (1967), sees conflict as a struggle, as value or claims to status, power and scare resources which each party aims to neutralize, injure, eliminate rivals (Macpherson & Cunningham, 1962). Both argue that conflict occurs when the competing groups pursue, in an aggressive manner, their goals, objectives, needs, value, cash, though sometimes it may not be violent conflict. Zartman, 2018 however, posits that conflict is an avoidable choice and decision that leads to expression to human interdependence. Also, conflict is also seen by (Bizman & 23 Hoffman, 1993) as an attempt to resolve divergent views, and to create some sort of unity though with a capacity to eliminate one of the participants. Conflict should, however, not be seen to be only negative or a dysfunctional process as laden with communication breakdown among parties to the conflict as argued by some scholars. Though different from competition, contest or struggle, it shares similarities in the process of human interaction, especially in complex societies which has scarcity of essential resources. Jawad, 2008 however, holds the view that interdependent people will always express their differences in their attempts to achieve their goals, thus conflict will arise when no party is prepared to shift grounds and make some adjustments on their position. Definitions of conflict by various scholars differ from being a positive to a negative process (Chidi, 2018), therefore, it is a function of how one thinks and understands it, and the nature of the conflict. Some see conflict as a natural phenomenon while others see it as abnormal in the evolution of human life, and some others see it as critical for growth and development for individuals and societies (Haynes, 2009). It is also within the context of development that young and old people see different kinds of conflicts from intrapersonal to interpersonal, and even to international levels. They need to deal with domestic conflicts at home, learning institutions, and at work; they must deal with them as they occur in their social lives. Rousseau, Gelpi, Reiter, & Huth, 1996 therefore, argues that the strategy employed to resolve the conflict depends on the perception of the causes of the conflict.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine a Conflicts resolution in Nigeria: challenges and prospects for peace. Peoples of Ife and Modakeke in resolving the crisis forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Conflicts resolution in Nigeria: challenges and prospects for peace. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Conflicts resolution in Nigeria: challenges and prospects for peace
Summary
This study was on Conflicts resolution in Nigeria: challenges and prospects for peace. Three objectives were raised which included Provide a historical background to Conflict resolution in Nigerian using Ife-Modakeke Crisis as a case study, Examine the origin of the Ife-Modakeke Crisis, Analyse the various factors responsible for the continuous mayhem between Ife and Modakeke despite the intervention of the Nigerian Government (as the third party) and Discuss the implications of Ife-Modakeke Crisis and the conflict resolution adopted in the area on the future of peace making among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from peoples of Ife and Modakeke in resolving the crisis. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
By the way of a conclusion, we have tried to establish that the ethnic character of violent conflict in Nigeria, poses great challenge to peace building. We agree. Nigeria is no doubt a complex country given numerous ethnic groups with varies characteristics and interests. Problem of reoccurring violent conflicts in Nigeria is attributed to plural nature of the country which tended on the surface to deliver more of the violent conflict. This explain why government have not been able to establish viable peace building strategy. The realities point to the poor management of public affairs, lack of broad public participation in the state affairs and above all poor governance structure, all these are intricate challenges that form the bedrock of ethnic base violent conflict across the country. Thus, there is thus an urgent need to re-engineer political consensus on socio-economic and political development in the country. In this way Nigeria should evolve integrated planning that would initiate a process that opens the possibility of engaging one another in a manner that is profound and integrative. This will enhance peaceful co-existence and as well developed necessary conscience that would make the people consider national peace as their supreme responsibility. The people need to stick together to be effective in dealing with their common problem
Recommendation
The government should strive to be on the side of the people by promoting the principle of rule of law across the country. This will be the antidote to the ills of ethnic manipulation and the impunity of political leaders that appeal to ethnic dynamics in their struggle for power, thereby sowing seeds of hatred and bitterness among Nigerians. On the whole, for Nigeria to build sustainable peace, we must agree that all ethnic groups despites its numerical strength, are parts of the profoundly inter connected holistic unity of this country. Psychology inform us that where ethnic and religious divisibility prevails, national consciousness becomes isolated. Therefore peace building in Nigerians requires fundamental restructuring to establish foundation for an enduring national peace
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