CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Human beings have been in conflict since the beginning of history; human history is truly that of conflict, conflict is an incompatible disagreement between two or more parties. Conflict can be detailed back to the introduction of civilization; the neolithic transformation brought the domestication of plants and animals leading to food surpluses. Early conflicts were a competition to control one of the most and finest resources. Conflict has nothing more than "messy effort at stealing" Conflict with the ages has shaped us into what and who we are today. Conflict does not just include clashes between people, however can likewise consist of ideological differences between faiths, ethnic backgrounds, and political groups, conflict can likewise imply the disparity between social classes; the " haves" and the: have nots" Bronowski, (1974).
Violent conflict makes up a clog in the wheel of development and progress of an individual and the community at large. As a result, sustainable peace and security is essential to the development and growth of every society. This is due to the fact that, perpetual conflicts in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State, constitute a hindrance to peace and security of the inhabitants of the area. Despites all efforts by the government to nib in bud, the occurrence of conflict in the LGA, with the implementation of security personnel whenever there is breakdown of conflict. Nevertheless, the subsequent setting of lots of judicial commissions of inquiry to examine the reasons for conflicts confirmed abortive.
The presence of traditional rulers in Nigeria predates the coming of Europeans into Africa. Before the introduction of colonial rule, the administration of communities in Nigeria were mainly rested on the shoulders of traditional rulers. Bello-Imam (2004) observed that traditional rulers evolved naturally consequently of the desire of a community to collaborated under the leadership of a trustworthy individual, that would certainly have the ability to protect them against enemies, preserve their customs and traditions and guarantee the overall progress of the community. Traditional rulers wielded all manners of powers and authorities in their communities.
Traditional rulers as non-state actors are being considered custodians of culture and tradition of the country. Traditional rulers are close to the people at the grassroots level, and generally accepted by their people based on the customs and the traditions of their respective domains, and formally recognized by the government of their respective states. Traditional rulers have been and are in the forefront of initiatives to prevent and mediate during conflict in their respective communities. During violent conflicts traditional rulers are frequently seen over the media calling for their subjects to shun and end violence.
The 1999 constitution does not provide any official role for traditional rulers. In sensible terms, traditional rulers do not have any official role to play in the political machinery and governance in modern Nigeria. At best, they serve in an unofficial capability as mere advisory body to the local, state and federal government functionaries (Amusa, and Ofuafor, 2012). Traditional rulers with several peacebuilding initiatives ensure peaceful coexistence amongst their subjects, because of their constant direct contact with their subjects, which put them in vantage position in maintaining law and order, in their respective domains. The modern role of traditional rulers is security and peace, at the same time local government use them for the achievement of peace and security in their areas as security and law enforcement agents (Odoh, 2009; 2014). Nevertheless, the Federal Government in its 1976 guidelines for local government reform provides for the establishment of committee in each of the local government, and the traditional rulers are represented in each of these committees. The committee is required to hold meetings to consider and make recommendations in all issues concerning the law enforcement and preservation of peace in the communities (Guidelines for Local Government Reforms, 1976). Based on the claims above, this study seeks to examine the role of traditional institutions in peace building in Nigeria by using Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State as a case study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Traditional institutions are the main source of conflict resolution and peace building, regional autonomies based for negotiated settlements. So that the efforts of traditional leaders failed because the rebels Edor Community of Ikom Local Government Area, it was the foundation of fierceness and predation. The federal government of Nigeria is conventionally viewed as a potential source of rule of law and peaceful allocation of resources, but, traditional leaders during peace building approaches can solve the conflict because peace building approaches are near process for most likely to de-escalate the conflict and her negotiation, meditation, arbitration and relational dialogue. So, this study sets out to further investigate the role played by traditional institutions in peace building and conflict resolution in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State as well as the challenges that traditional leaders face in participation of peace building and conflict resolution in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of traditional institutions in peace building in Nigeria by using Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State as a case study. However, the specific objectives include:
i) To find out the contributions of traditional leaders in peace building process.
ii) To ascertain the extent of conflict in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State.
iii) To examine the challenges facing the traditional institutions in peacebuilding in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State
1.4 Research Questions
This study was sought to answer the following research questions:
i) What are the contributions of traditional leaders in peace building process?
ii) What is the extent of conflict in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State?
iii) What are the challenges facing the traditional institutions in peacebuilding in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
This study was guided by the following research hypotheses:
i) There is a significant influence of the contributions of traditional leaders in peace building process
ii) There is no significant relationship between the levels of peace building and conflict resolution in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government of Cross River State
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study were varying slightly or greatly contribute to the understanding of the relationship between peace building and conflict resolution. It is predictable that the study was useful to The Government to resolve armed conflict and make reconciliation. The study is also likely to be a basis for further research in other area in Nigeria in the same subject; and it was in the same time providing literature for student's researchers and other interesting readers. In addition, the study was provided much information to:
Government it may resolve the armed conflict and make reconciliation.
Nongovernment Organizations (NGOs) who were operated conflict resolution in the country. The study was assistance such organizations as they involve effective movements for conflict resolution process promoting in terms of workshops, seminars, speech and so on.
The research was also being of advantage to students who were interested in the subject matter and in specific it may act as a literature review as they keep on researching.
1.7 Scope of the Study
Scope of this study on the role played by traditional institutions in peace building and conflict resolution in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State as well as the challenges that traditional leaders face in participation of peace building and conflict resolution in Edor Community of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The limitation of this study is that, from the onset, the study intended to conduct a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), but in the course of carrying out the field work, the researcher was unable to bring together the respondents that would have made up the Focus Group Discussion category. This was due to the fact that, the respondents gave different reasons and schedules, due to their personal engagements. The only option left was for the researcher to follow them to their various areas of residence.
1.9 Definition of Terms
The following terms were used in the process of carrying out this study:
Conflict: conflict denotes struggle over scarce values and status among groups in the society. Conflict often manifests in violent form; violence therefore denotes employment of illegal method of physical coercion for personal or group ends.
Peacebuilding: peacebuilding is an umbrella term for all work geared toward social change at all level of society and in all level of conflict (Schirch, 2008). It means creating tangible and intangible conditions to enable a conflict-habituated system to be peace system. It can be done before, during or after violence erupt (Notter and Diamond, 1996).
Traditional Rulers: traditional rulers are those “traditional heads of an ethnic groups or clan who are the holders of highest primary executive offices in an indigenous polity, or who have been appointed to the position in accordance with the custom and tradition of the area concerned by the instrument or order of the state government, and whose title are recognised as traditional rulers by the government of the state” (Ola and Tonwe, as cited in Tonwe and Osemwota, 2013).
