CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA
(A CASE STUDY OF THE AMNESTY PROGRAMME)
The Niger Delta area is the most fragile region in Nigeria. The
presence of oil and gas in the region makes it the goose that lays the
golden egg, thus making the region the center of economic and political
activities in the country.
The Niger Delta was a foremost part of the area later to be called
Nigeria and incorporated into the Atlantic world economy from the 16th
century. Thus, the region developed a monetized economy and become
ahead of contemporary developments in others part of the future
Nigeria, leading to a substantial degree of prosperity and the
development of a proud culture in the region. This rare feat
constitutes the basis for the formation of own identity.
However, the struggle for self determination and proper
distribution of resources among groups within the region and Nigerians
ethnic group started with the formation and consolidation of the
Nigeria colonial state from the 1940’s. This struggle became
inevitable because Niger Delta is a dispersal of small ethnic groups
which were force together with predatory and dominant majority ethnic
groups.
This minority question was never addressed before Nigeria got her
independence in 1960 despite The Henry Commission of 1956 that
attempted to solve the issue of minority. The point here is to present a
fact that the Niger Delta crisis is rooted in the foundation and
structure of the Nigeria state. Over the years the question has
contributed greatly to the emergence of violence in Niger Delta region
over oil and mineral resources. The insurgency in Niger Delta whether
oil or crude oil benefit bother on the foundation and structure of
Nigeria state.
These works examine the Niger Delta people before 1960. The
research contends that before independence, the people of the region
live in peace despite some record of conflict among the ethnic groups
in Niger Delta region. The origin of crisis in Niger Delta region and
also took a look at the attempt at addressing the crisis through
military option to peaceful means.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of this study include:
- To examine as baseline study that Niger Delta people and the extent to which it relates with others.
- To examine the Genesis of the crisis of agitation in the region and how it affects the Nigeria state.
- To examine the military option which hitherto escalate the Niger Delta crisis to insurgence in the country.
- To examine the nature of the conflict as it portents to undermine the economy of Nigeria.
- To identify and evaluate the amnesty programmes as relevant approach in addressing the Niger Delta struggle.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The Niger Delta question is an important discourse in Nigeria
today. This is so because of the discovery of oil in the region, thus
making the region the life wire of the country economy. Over the years
resource has turn to serious issue as a result of the neglect of the
region. The distribution and the development oil has led to violence
and armed conflict between the people and the federal government.
The relevance of this study is to investigate into the genesis of
the problem and provide a framework for a critical analysis of why it
is important to ensure that the amnesty idea is the best possible
solution to the resolution of the crisis. This work will provide first
hand information for further research.
METHODOLOGY
In the course of research for this work relevant data and
information were obtained from the main sources. These were primary and
secondary source.
- Primary Sources:
Primary sources which were utilized in the course of the research
for this work from archival research. Material was consulted at the
Edo State Library, Benin City, Benin Institute of Studies, Benin City
and the national archive at Ibadan. They include intelligence report
other documents relating to this works.
- Secondary Source:
Secondary source which consulted in some university and public
libraries across the country include textbooks, journals and
periodicals information obtained from primary sources. These sourced
helped to provide data for a critical analysis of conflict management
in the Niger Delta that will study Amnesty programme.
SCOPE OF STUDY
The scope of this study on conflict management in the Niger Delta:
A case study of the Amnesty programme is limited to the genesis of the
Niger Delta question on the struggle for equal distribution of
resources which later manifested to oil and mineral resources control.
Its manifestation took the shape of violence and insurgence that
inevitably led to military option until amnesty programme.
LITERATURE REVIEW
There is yet not much academic work on conflict management in the
Niger Delta: A case study of the Amnesty Programme. This however,
cannot be said of Nigeria where there are a number of works deal on the
Nigeria evolution as a state in politics, economy and the society.
There is however, certain literature that deal on relevant aspects on
conflict management in Niger Delta. Some of the literature in this
group include A. Boro work “A twelve Day Revolution” 1R.T. Akinyele “Patriarch of Minority activities in the Niger Delta”2 O. Ikime The merchant prince of the Niger Delta3.
Boro, it highlight the need for a revolution as the solution to the
continue exclusion of the area from benefiting from the oil. Akinyele
work examine that the domination by the three major groups via Hausa,
Yoruba and Igbo as the remote cause of the crisis in the region which
border on unequal distribution of government services and institution
and exploitation of the resources. Suberu work identified five broad
themes as the basis for the people demand and grievances, the
disposition of mineral law rent, the application of federally collected
mineral revenues, the appropriate institutions and fiscal response to
the ecological problem of the oil producing area, the responsibility of
the oil prospecting companies to the oil producing communities and the
appropriate arrangement of securing the integrity and autonomy of the
oil producing communities within the federal structure.
The works are base on conflict in Niger Delta and the problems in
the region. This however, would assist in the theoretical analysis of
this study.
From the above, it can be seen that none of the existing
literature has carried out any substantial analysis of the subject of
our study, as their primary focus was on conflict and problem in the
Niger Delta.
This however, it will provide the framework for a comprehensive
and detailed analysis for this work. Thus, this work will provide a
useful and detailed idea for further research on the conflict
management in Niger Delta.
CHAPTERIZATION
This project work is divided into five chapters:
Chapter One: The Niger Delta; its people, cultures
and values. This chapter provides a brief historic background of the
Niger Delta people.
Chapter Two: The Nature of Niger delta crisis (2003
to 2011). This chapter provides the analysis of the agitation move
from peaceful on to insurgence in the region.
Chapter Three: The military option that escalates the crisis.
Chapter Four: The Amnesty Programme
Chapter Five: Conclusion