A nation in disarray: communal conflicts and socio-political stability in Nigeria

Year : 2024 | Volume :14 | Issue : 01 | Page : 28-35
By

Chamberlain Kingdom Nwogu

Dr. Anthony Egobueze

Dr. Lauretta Adaobi Onyekwere

  1. Lecturer Department of Political Science, Rivers State University Port Harcourt Nigeria
  2. Lecturer Department of Political Science, Rivers State University Port Harcourt Nigeria
  3. Lecturer Department of Political Science, Rivers State University Port Harcourt Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigated communal conflicts and socio-political stability in Nigeria. The Nigerian state has witnessed a lot of cataclysms arising from misunderstanding or disarticulation of interest between or among communities and this has affected the political stability of the State. Methodologically, the study adopted secondary data which was analyzed through content analysis. The Frustration and Aggression theory was adopted as the framework for analysis. The study observed that land disputes, chieftaincy rivalries, natural resources, elections, and others are the causes of communal conflicts in Nigeria and recommended amongst others that the government should acquire any parcel of land in dispute to build public facilities, such as health centre, school, amusement parks, market, and any other social infrastructure. It is recommended that multinational corporations adopt global best practices while modifying their divide-and-rule strategy in their interactions with the host communities. They ought to abandon the damaging divide-and-rule tactic, which incites conflict among neighbors and frequently results in violent conflict. The government ought to be perceptive and knowledgeable enough to identify conflict’s early warning signs. The best way to stop a conflict that damages society and sociopolitical institutions is to intervene impartially and quickly. Before intervening in intercommunal conflicts, the government shouldn’t wait until there are shootings, heads rolling, or structures being demolished. This essay looks at the social contradictions in governmental structure, the factors involved in land disputes, the fight between ethnic cleavages and tribes, and the conflict in the petrodollar industry. In Nigeria, these are the main reasons behind intercommunal disputes. It also examines ways to reduce or eliminate these conflicts in order to promote growth and ensure sociopolitical stability.

Keywords: Communal, Conflict, socio-political, State, Stability

[This article belongs to Omni Science: A Multi-disciplinary Journal(osmj)]

How to cite this article: Chamberlain Kingdom Nwogu, Dr. Anthony Egobueze, Dr. Lauretta Adaobi Onyekwere. A nation in disarray: communal conflicts and socio-political stability in Nigeria. Omni Science: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2024; 14(01):28-35.
How to cite this URL: Chamberlain Kingdom Nwogu, Dr. Anthony Egobueze, Dr. Lauretta Adaobi Onyekwere. A nation in disarray: communal conflicts and socio-political stability in Nigeria. Omni Science: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2024; 14(01):28-35. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/osmj/article=2024/view=132755


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 01
Received January 3, 2024
Accepted January 11, 2024
Published February 13, 2024