Ukoha Ukiwo

Politics, Ethno-Religious Conflicts and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

This article examines the explosion of violent ethno-religious and communal conflicts in Nigeria, contrary to the widespread expectation that the inauguration of the civilian administration would usher in democratic stability. The nature of the politics of the transition programme and the reluctance of the post-military regime to address the national question have led to the resurgence of social groups that make demands for incorporation and empowerment. The central argument is that unbridled competition for power, and the failure of government to deliver democratic dividends, have resulted in violent conflicts, especially between ethnic and religious groups, endangering the countrys nascent democracy. Good governance, especially accountability, transparency and equity, would restore governmental legitimacy, inter-ethnic and religious harmony and promote democratic consolidation.

The Study of Ethnicity in Nigeria

In this article it is argued that, although the study of ethnicity in Nigeria bears the imprint of almost all the different perspectives that have been deployed towards the study of ethnicity; perspectives that privilege the role of the state and critical élites in ethnic mobilization have dominated the literature. Apart from the tenuous explanation of false consciousness, a lot remains to be known about why, when and how followers enlist (or do not enlist) in ethnic conflicts. Moreover, analysts have paid more attention to inter-ethnic than intra-ethnic conflicts because the cohesion of ethnic groups is often taken for granted. The literature is also very thin on the phenomenon of inter-ethnic accommodation and co-operation. It is suggested in this paper that a systematic examination of horizontal inequalities, that is, inequalities that arise from the differential access members of different ethnic groups have to lucrative political, economic and social resources, will provide insights into the often neglected popular basis of ethnic conflicts. Explanations will also be offered as to why some inter-ethnic relations are marked by violent conflict while others have been more peaceful.

Ethnicity, Religion and the State in Ghana and Nigeria: Perceptions from the Street

Objectively speaking, both Ghana and Nigeria are characterized by severe socioeconomic inequalities among their regions, ethnic groups and religions. Yet, as ultimately collective action depends on how social groups perceive the world in which they live and act, unravelling such perceptions must be a critical element in any investigation of group behaviour, including violent group mobilization. Consequently, this chapter presents and analyzes survey data, drawn from perceptions surveys conducted in Ghana and Nigeria, on how people see their own identities and their perceptions of the extent of domination of state institutions by particular ethnic or religious groups. The surveys consisted principally of a set of structured questionnaires in which respondents answered closed questions.1

Horizontal Inequalities and Ethnic Violence: Evidence from Calabar and Warri, Nigeria

This chapter explores fundamental factors underpinning conflict through a comparison of two cities in the Delta region of Nigeria. Unlike most cities in Nigeria, which are made up of an indigenous ethnic group and migrants from other ethnic groups, both Calabar and Warri have three indigenous ethnic groups which compete for dominance. These are the Efik, Efut and Qua in Calabar and the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo in Warri. While all three ethnic groups are only indigenous to Calabar, only the Itsekiri are indigenous to Warri alone. The Ijaw and Urhobo indigenes of Warri constitute a very small proportion of the larger Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups. Relations between the ethnic groups in each city have been characterized by conflict. However, Calabar has managed to avoid the recurrent interethnic violence that has occurred in Warri. This chapter seeks to explain the different outcomes in ethnic relations using the horizontal inequalities framework.

Natural resources, conflict, and sustainable development : lessons from the Niger Delta

1. Introduction: Natural Resource, Conflict and Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Ibaba Samuel Ibaba, Okechukwu Ukaga and Ukoha O. Ukiwo 2. Because of Oil? Understanding the Globalization of the Niger Delta and Its Consequences Cyril Obi 3. Overcoming Tyranny and Underdevelopment in the Niger Delta Through Appropriate Human Resources Development and Utilization Samuel Ranti Akinola 4. Assessing the Human Development Efforts of the Niger Delta Development Commission Augustine Okhobo Dokpesi and Michael Irabor Ibiezugbe 5. Entrepreneurship Development and Poverty Reduction in the Niger Delta Gordon M. Bubou and Nimiye A. Egai 6. Non-Governmental Organizations and Conflict Resolution in Niger Delta: The Case of Yakubu Gowon Centers Peace Process in Ogoni Ambily Etekpe 7. Land Reform, Land Rights, and Development Challenges in Nigeria: A Focus on the Niger Delta Yinka Kehinde Binuomoyo, Johnson B. Ogbewo, Ephraim A. Okoro, and Okechukwu Ukaga 8. Challenges to Fundamental Rights of Women in the Niger Delta Adaora Osondu 9. Conclusion: Reclaiming Politics and Reforming Governance: Options for Sustainable Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Ukoha O. Ukiwo, Okechukwu Ukaga, and Ibaba Samuel Ibaba

Horizontal Inequalities and Militancy: The Case of Nigeria’s Niger Delta

The upsurge of violent conflicts in the early 1990s unexpectedly animated academic and policy interest in social cohesion and in political stability. Given the political, humanitarian and economic costs of violent conflict, most studies on intra-state conflicts have focused on the causes of such violence (see Van de Goor et al., 1996). A huge range of perspectives has emerged in the field of conflict analysis, but the new political economy approach that focuses on the economic dimension of civil war has become particularly prominent (see Berdal and Malone, 2000; Collier and Hoeffler, 2000). The absence of superpower support for rebel groups has of necessity strengthened the tendency for rebellion to be self-financing (see Sherman and Ballentine, 2003). Scholars and policy-makers have explored the role of feasibility and opportunity costs at the onset of conflicts. The ‘greed’ of rebel leaders and of their recruits is considered to be the central explanatory variable, because a variety of factors — such as the availability of ‘lootable’ natural resources, low commodity prices and the presence of an army of unemployed youths — are shown to have a positive correlation with the onset of civil wars (see Le Billon, 2000; Humphreys and Weinstein, 2008; Nillesen and Verwimp, 2009). This argument triggered the so-called greed and grievance debates between scholars who focus on the economic interests of rebel leaders and combatants, and scholars who focus on the political, social, economic and cultural grievances of identity-based groups.

Introduction: Natural resource, conflict, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta

1. Introduction: Natural Resource, Conflict and Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Ibaba Samuel Ibaba, Okechukwu Ukaga and Ukoha O. Ukiwo 2. Because of Oil? Understanding the Globalization of the Niger Delta and Its Consequences Cyril Obi 3. Overcoming Tyranny and Underdevelopment in the Niger Delta Through Appropriate Human Resources Development and Utilization Samuel Ranti Akinola 4. Assessing the Human Development Efforts of the Niger Delta Development Commission Augustine Okhobo Dokpesi and Michael Irabor Ibiezugbe 5. Entrepreneurship Development and Poverty Reduction in the Niger Delta Gordon M. Bubou and Nimiye A. Egai 6. Non-Governmental Organizations and Conflict Resolution in Niger Delta: The Case of Yakubu Gowon Centers Peace Process in Ogoni Ambily Etekpe 7. Land Reform, Land Rights, and Development Challenges in Nigeria: A Focus on the Niger Delta Yinka Kehinde Binuomoyo, Johnson B. Ogbewo, Ephraim A. Okoro, and Okechukwu Ukaga 8. Challenges to Fundamental Rights of Women in the Niger Delta Adaora Osondu 9. Conclusion: Reclaiming Politics and Reforming Governance: Options for Sustainable Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Ukoha O. Ukiwo, Okechukwu Ukaga, and Ibaba Samuel Ibaba

Managing Horizontal Inequalities and Violent Conflicts in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country of very startling paradoxes. It is one of Africa’s major states, holding the continent’s largest population (150 million) and its largest oil reserves (Bach, 2004). It is one of the claimants for Africa’s presumed slot in the proposed enlargement in the number of permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. One of the justifications for this claim is the indefatigable ‘big brother’ role Nigeria has played in stabilising the continent. It has contributed more troops to both UN and regional peacekeeping missions and aid to needy countries than any other country on the continent and has the fourth-largest peacekeeping mission in the world. In fact, Nigeria initiated and bankrolled the world’s first regional peacekeeping and peace enforcement initiative (Adebajo, 2008). Still Nigerians are desperately poor, as 60 per cent of Nigerians live below the minimum subsistence level of US

Conclusion: Reclaiming politics and reforming governance: Options for sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta

1 per day.

From 'Pirates' to 'Militants': A Historical Perspective on Anti-State and Anti-Oil Company Mobilization Among the Ijaw of Warri, Western Niger Delta

1. Introduction: Natural Resource, Conflict and Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Ibaba Samuel Ibaba, Okechukwu Ukaga and Ukoha O. Ukiwo 2. Because of Oil? Understanding the Globalization of the Niger Delta and Its Consequences Cyril Obi 3. Overcoming Tyranny and Underdevelopment in the Niger Delta Through Appropriate Human Resources Development and Utilization Samuel Ranti Akinola 4. Assessing the Human Development Efforts of the Niger Delta Development Commission Augustine Okhobo Dokpesi and Michael Irabor Ibiezugbe 5. Entrepreneurship Development and Poverty Reduction in the Niger Delta Gordon M. Bubou and Nimiye A. Egai 6. Non-Governmental Organizations and Conflict Resolution in Niger Delta: The Case of Yakubu Gowon Centers Peace Process in Ogoni Ambily Etekpe 7. Land Reform, Land Rights, and Development Challenges in Nigeria: A Focus on the Niger Delta Yinka Kehinde Binuomoyo, Johnson B. Ogbewo, Ephraim A. Okoro, and Okechukwu Ukaga 8. Challenges to Fundamental Rights of Women in the Niger Delta Adaora Osondu 9. Conclusion: Reclaiming Politics and Reforming Governance: Options for Sustainable Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Ukoha O. Ukiwo, Okechukwu Ukaga, and Ibaba Samuel Ibaba