Causes and Cures of Conflicts in Nigeria
By
Compounding the problem of underdevelopment in poor countries like Nigeria is micro nationalism, ethnic, religious and communal conflicts which, pose great threat to peace, security and progress. Conflicts refer to disputes, disagreements, quarrels, struggles, fights and wars between individuals, groups and countries. In every nation there is no complete agreement on how to share wealth, power and status among individuals and groups, and how to effect necessary changes and reforms. Since different groups and individuals have diverse interests, the aims of some groups will conflict with those of others. Conflicts occur when deprived groups and individuals attempt to increase their share of power and wealth or to modify the dominant values, norms, beliefs or ideology.
May it be noted that there are functional and dysfunctional conflicts. Dysfunctional conflicts are destructive and cause loss of lives, property, man-hours,
investment opportunities, hunger and starvation when open violence, wars, mass strikes, and other forms of disruption occur. On the other hand, functional or
creative conflicts are constructive and reflect the differences and variety of human opinions and activity which exists in any free society. If creative
conflicts between groups which are major sources of innovation, new ideas, institutions and social change are suppressed altogether, a nation becomes stagnant
and static.
The nationalist outburst that saw the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, etc. have emboldened the oppressed nationalities
around the world to take their destinies into their hands. The divisive interplay of politics, ethnicism and religion in Nigeria has led to rising nationalism
and militancy of various ethnic movements, seeking self-determination, local autonomy, separate identity and true federalism. The existence of artificial and
arbitrary boundaries that split ethnic groups among different local government areas (LGAs) and states has resulted in boundary disputes and demands for
re-unification or separation.
Accusations and allegations of neglect, oppression, domination, exploitation, victimization, discrimination, marginalisation, nepotism and bigotry are common.
It is difficult to know who is marginalising who in Nigeria because all ethnic groups, from the big Hausa, Yoruba and Igbos to the small Ogonis, lkwerres,
Igalas, etc. are complaining of marginalisation.
However, most of the communal conflicts in the minority areas in the South and Middle Belt are caused partly by land, boundary, and chieftaincy disputes but
mainly by domination and oppression; frustration-aggression-displacement; divide-and rule policies and diversionary scapegoat techniques. The inequalities in
the distribution of power, wealth and status, and domination and oppression by bigger groups and their collaborators within the smaller groups have frustrated
the minority Ogonis, lbibios, Tivs, Igalas, Itsekiris, etc. who seem to reduce their built-up tensions by fighting among themselves rather than unite and face
the real oppressors.
The real oppressors and the oppressed are however found in allethnic groups. The poor and hungry Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa Fulani farmers are equally oppressed and
depressed like the illiterate and staring Edo, Efik Nupe and Ijaw fishermen and farmers. Similarly, the selfish, corrupt and oppressive politicians,
bureaucrats, military personnel and contractors who loot public and private treasuries exist in all ethnic groups. The vast majority in Nigeria is being
oppressed by this corrupt small clique in each ethnic group.
The failure of Nigerian leaders to establish good governments, forge national integration and promote economic progress has led to mass poverty and
unemployment, and the resultant communal, ethnic, religious and class conflicts. Rather than the chains of poverty, the poor has little or nothing in the form
of property, to lose and are easily engaged by war-mongers as mercenary fighters. Poverty increases the number of people prepared to kill or be killed for a
given cause.
The breakdown of such vehicles of social control as the family education, law, religion and the political system has increased ethnic and communal conflicts.
The inability of many homes to make ends meet with the family income tends to increase immorality, broken fatherless/motherless homes, divorces and drunkenness,
leading to street fights.
The educational or school system is in shambles and cannot impart even sound knowledge, let alone instill discipline and morality. Some lecturers/teachers are
now called "cheaters" because they have become emergency contractors, politicians, farmers and petty street traders, hawking "hand outs" and scores for sex and
money.
Rather than mould and build good characters, some prosperity preachers are more interested in making quick money to mould blocks and build earthly (not
heavenly) mansions, and buy luxurious cars for the shepherd, while their sheep trek home to sleep on the ground under flyers and in the open fields, feeding on
grass and drinking dirty pool water. When the poor sheep followers who had been taught to expect their rewards in heaven see their leaders enjoying heaven on
earth, they feel frustrated and engage in feigned and fake religious fights and clashes to capture peoples' property in order to enjoy heaven on earth like
their leaders.
Law enforcement agents indulge in crimes, demand bribes and collect illegal levies from motorists openly and shamelessly. General Diya said a judge went to
court with two versions of his verdict to sell to the highest bidder, and the political system was so inefficient and corrupt that the National Assembly in 1993
became the venue where bribes were offered and received openly to the dismay of Nigerians (Concord, June 8, 1994). In addition to inefficiency and corruption,
"seekers of political power and weaith have turned thuggery and hired assassins into lucrative jobs without realizing that those who give or carry the sword/gun
will die by the sword.
The long military intervention in politics tends to legitimize the use of force and violence as instruments for social change and attainment of set goals and
demands. At certain periods in the history of a nation we can discern the predominance of the values of specific classes, and there seems to be a hangover from
the military era of coercion and force in settling conflicts.
Uncontrolled arms supply has also quickened the outbreak of conflicts and encouraged belligerents to go on fighting rather than find peaceful settlement to
disputes. Paradoxically, when the developed nations are reducing their nuclear missiles, they are seeking ways to sell more of their guns and bombs to poor
countries. Therefore, poor individuals, nations and ethnic warlords should be very careful and cautious when wealthy individuals, government or countries give
them guns, instead of garri, food, health and educational materials, because they could be used unknowingly to kill and exterminate their own people for other
to take -over their rich lands and beautiful women.
Conflict resolution in Nigeria requires honest and capable leadership and good governance to reduce the level of unemployment, poverty, oppression, domination
and marginalisation, and raise the standards of living of all the Nigerians.
A true federalism with drastically reduced federal powers, responsibilities and resources, and greater local autonomy and self-determination for the federating
units or states will reduce inter-ethnic tensions. With the reduction in the attraction of the centre, the do or die presidential elections will be minimized.
There should be equitable distribution of power, wealth and status as well as responsibilities, duties and contributions to the centre. There will be no
development and progress without peace, and no peace without equal rights and justice. Therefore equity, fair play and justice should be emphasized to enhance
peace and progress.
For equity and justice, and to give all sections of Nigeria a sense of belonging, all political parties should choose their presidential candidates from the
South-South which had never produced a Head of State/Government or from the South-East because since 1960 the three geopolitical zones in the North have headed
the Federal Government for about 34 years and the South West for eight years by 2003.
National interest should over-ride personal or group interests so well meaning individuals and politicians should support Governor Kure's call on the President,
Governors and their deputies to quit office by 2003 to reduce tension in the country and ensure the survival of our nascent democracy (THISDAY June 29, 2002).
In fact, an initial single tenure for Mr. President, Governors and LGA Chairmen was recommended by the Presidential Committee on the Review of the 1999
Constitution and Kure's courage and selflessness are commendable.
The legal, religious, educational and political systems should be strengthened and improved so that only genuine practitioners are retained and profiteers are
pruned. The Anti-corruption Commission should work harder to fish out the corrupt in any profession, especially corrupt politicians who have started to pollute
the body polity with their ill-gotten wealth. If the poor decide to campaign, vote and man all polling booths freely, a popular, capable, but not too wealthy
candidate could defeat a corrupt, unpopular money -bag.
In order to check ethnic conflicts arising from artificial and arbitrary boundaries, genuine demands for mergers and reunion with kith and kin, determined
through popular opinion, referendum or Boundary Commissions, should be effected without undue delay.
With respect to mineral or oil-rich land disputes, the oil oozing from a particular production well may be flowing in from distant lands. Besides, oil
pipelines, men and materials pass through divide lands, waterways, creeks, etc. during oil exploration, production and distribution. Therefore, a broader
definition of oil-bearing areas to cover all communities likely to be adversely affected and polluted by oil production and distribution, and the equitable
distribution of oil benefits, social amenities, scholarships, etc. will minimize such clashes and conflicts.
However, the most effective cure of conflicts is for everybody to obey the biblical injunction to love God and love they neighbour as thyself. A neighbour is a
fellow human being. Anyone who truly loves his neighbour as himself sees the neighbour as part and parcel of himself, and can hardly harm or kill him as he
would not like to kill himself. Those who fight and kill in order to gain power, wealth or pass on to paradise, will rather pass away to eternal condemnation,
while the merciful, loving and pure peacemakers live happily in paradise.
April 2003