Mbaeze, Netchy and Okoli, Chukwuma Rowland and Okonkwo, W. (2017) The National Question and Transformation of Farmers – Herders Conflict: Evidence from Selected States in Nigeria. In: 2017 Zonal Conference of Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) South East Chapter, 12 – 15 November, 2017, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State Nigeria.
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Abstract
Nigeria remains a mosaic made up of various ethnic, religious and socio-economic groups. Thus, from the colonial era, the question of how to protect the interests of the various groups which make up the British patchwork called Nigeria has remained unresolved. This study intervenes by analyzing how the unresolved national question has transformed the complex social relations among various groups into violent conflict, one of which is the recurring armed conflict between crop farmers – herdsmen in Nigeria. Specifically, the study interrogates the following research questions: has the inability to address the indigene-settler dichotomy engendered violent conflict between crop farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria? Does the alienation of the federating units in national security management weaken capacity of the Nigerian state to contain the violent armed conflict between crop farmers – herdsmen? The study adopted the conflict transformation theory, while content analysis was employed to analyze secondary data obtained via documentary approach. Based on evidence from three states purposively selected three different geo-political zones in Nigeria, the study argued that the transformation of farmers – herders conflict into violent armed conflict is linked to the indigene-settler dichotomy and the concomitant struggle over scarce resources by both groups. Again, the alienation of the federating units from national security management arising from the centralization of security apparatus creates interstices exploited by criminal elements to perpetuate violent armed conflict between farmers – herdsmen in Nigeria. The study recommends that national security apparatus be decentralized to enable federating units respond quickly to imminent armed violence.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JA Political science (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Management and Social Sciences |
| Depositing User: | mrs chioma hannah |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Apr 2019 13:44 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Apr 2019 09:25 |
| URI: | http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/1181 |
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