THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION, A CASE STUDY OF JOS SOUTH PLATEAU STATE

THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION, A CASE STUDY OF JOS SOUTH PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

Non participatory roles of traditional rulers in the present day administration as compared to their roles in managing and resolving conflict in pre-colonial Nigeria is accounting mainly for the decades of social conflicts that is manifesting itself in our socio-economic and political circuit. This development does not only renders traditional rulers and her institutions irrelevant but also creates threats to peace, security and stability in the nation. The paper thereby provides brief clarification of the key concept and overview of the roles of traditional rulers and her institutions in conflict prevention, management and resolution in pre and post colonial Nigeria. The paper further evaluates these roles and recommends that, harmonizing norms and values embedded in traditional institutions, being the epitomy and custodians of mystical, religious and symbol of identity of their local people, with the modern system of governance will go a long way in reducing, if not totally eradicate the recent problems facing the new state, most especially, in terms of access to justice and resolution of conflict.

Keywords: Traditional rulers, indigenous conflict resolution, evaluation, harmonization, Nigeria

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page- – – – – – – – – i

Approval page – – – – – – – -ii

Dedication – – – – – – – – -iii

Acknowledgement – – – – – – – -iv

Abstract – – – – – – – – – -v

Table of content – – – – – – – -vi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – -1

1.0 Background of the study – – – – -1

1.1 Statement of the problem – – – – -5

1.2 Purpose of the study – – – – – -6

1.3 Significance of the study – – – – -8

1.4 Research questions – – – – – -9

1.5 Scope of the study – – – – – – -10

CHAPTER TWO

 

LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – -11

CHAPTER THREE

Research methodology – – – – – – -39

Design of study – – – – – – – -40

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data – -48

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings – – – – – – -60

Conclusion – – – – – – – – -61

Recommendations – – – – – – – -62

Suggestions for further research – – – – -64

References – – – – – – – – -65

Appendix I – – – – — – – – -68

Questionnaire. – – – – – – – -69

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

Nigeria is a large and populous West African nation with a complex history of pre-colonial polities, a system of multiple administrative strategies during the colonial era and a post-independence history marked by the alternation of military and civilian rule. Since the 1970s, much of the particular colour of events has been shaded by the impact of income from oil, principally exported from the Niger Delta and offshore rigs. The size and population of Nigeria drove a specific process during the colonial era, the use of indirect rule to manage the northern two-thirds of the country. This led to the formalisation of the position of traditional rulers, quite unique in the region and perhaps in Africa. Rulers were assigned a particular status with notified privileges and used as an arm of government. Many such systems were created in colonial Africa, but they have tended to wither away, especially when not rooted in the long-term social structures of the peoples over whom they were set to rule. But in Nigeria, the institution of traditional rulership has developed and flourished. There are more ‘traditional’ rulers today than at Independence in 1960. Politicians try to win votes by promising to upgrade chieftaincies or create new ones. Clearly, such rulers continue to strike a chord in the twenty-first century, when power is diffuse and chaotic. One reason for this is that traditional rulers are often more trusted than local and state government officials during post-conflict situations, which are becoming extremely common. During the long years of military government, traditional rulers largely preserved their status, except for a major change in 1967-68 when their powers over judicial affairs were significantly reduced. But with the introduction of democracy in 1999, and the need to establish a more perdurable constitutional framework, the issue of traditional rulers has again come to the fore. Especially in the south, where chiefs never have had the sort of prestige they enjoyed in the North, many activists and lawyers are questioning the need for such archaic institutions. The rise in civil conflict throughout the country suggests that traditional rulers have no major role in damping down community violence and some suspect they may be exacerbating it. For these reasons it seems an appropriate time to review the status and role of traditional rulers. Most of the well-regarded monographs on chiefship institutions in Nigeria date from the 1960s and frankly present a rosy view coloured by the stability of the immediate post-colonial era. More recent literature, locally published, is either pseudo-historical or has an immediate political agenda. To make use of this material requires considerable care. Recent concerns about the role of Islam in worldwide political instability need to be considered for their relevance to Nigeria. Traditional rulers have traditionally had an important role in conflict resolution; is this worth preserving?

1.1 Statement of the problem

The neglect of the traditional institution and the non participatory roles of the traditional rulers in the present day administration as compare to their roles in managing and solving conflict in the pre colonial era has constitute a majar reason for the increasing rate in social conflict in many part of the country. This development renders traditional rulers and her institutions irrelevant and also as a threat tonational peace and unity. The government and other stakeholder in the course of strengthening international and regional organization to deal with international conflict management have neglected the very essential part of the internal solution to conflict management. This has led to feign interference especially in areas where there is heavy dependence of feign aid, forgetting that as conflict is inherent in a society, so are the mechanism in solving it. The neglect of the role of traditional authorities in mediation has contributed to the development of protracted conflict in many communities, town and cities which has inverstly threatens the security of the nation. Therefore this dtudy seek to access the roles of traditional rulers in conflict resolution. A case study of Jos plateau state.

1.2 Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to access the roles of traditional rulers in conflict resolution. A case study of Jos plateau state; which includes;

1. To determine the nature and process of conflict resolution
2. To determine the roles of traditional rulers in conflict resolution
3. To determine the effect of the roles of traditional rulers in conflict resolution in Jos plateau state.

1.3 Significance of the study

The study shall attract the attention of government and relevant agencies to revive the role of traditional rulers in conflict resolutions especially in domains where they exist as leaders. It shall also provide the needed information for policy makers and relevant stakeholders and awaken their consciousness to their role in maintaining peace and security of the nation.

• Research questions

2. What is the sitting of traditional institution in the North?
3. What is the nature and process of conflict resolution in Jos plateau State?
4. What are the roles of traditional rulers in conflict resolution in Jos Plateau State?

1.5 Scope of the study

This study is only restricted to the study area as it has a well organized traditional system and also considering the increasing case of conflict in the area which has threaten the peace and the security of the nation.

 

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