Causes of Conflict Between Niger Delta Communities (2003 – 2014)
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Causes of Conflict Between Niger Delta Communities (2003 – 2014) Egere, H.D Submitted version deposited in Coventry University’s Institutional Repository Original citation: Egere, H.D (2017) Causes of Conflict Between Niger Delta Communities (2003 – 2014) . Unpublished PhD Thesis. Coventry: Coventry University Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Some materials have been removed from this thesis due to Third Party Copyright. Pages where material has been removed are clearly marked in the electronic version. The unabridged version of the thesis can be viewed at the Lanchester Library, Coventry University. Causes of Conflict Between Niger Delta Communities (2003 – 2014) By Hudson Dafe Egere May 2017 A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the University’s requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Abstract The thesis evaluates the causality of inter-community conflict in the Niger Delta, notably in the core states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. In contrast to previous studies, this research uses its own detailed definition and delineation of Niger Delta Communities (NDCs), and the nature of inter-community conflict, to determine the social, economic and political factors that cause conflict between communities in the ND. A further key distinction between this study and previous research on the causality of conflict in the Niger Delta is the use of evidence and data gathered from leaders and residents involved first-hand in the conflict in the region. The study defines NDCs as inherently autonomous entities, since they were politically autonomous prior to colonisation. Non-native means of administration first introduced by European colonisers constrained these community’s autonomy, most recently under the system of Local Government Areas (LGAs). Corruption and mismanagement in local administration has alienated NDCs who mostly no longer trust the LGAs and have fallen back on traditional means of interacting with their neighbours which can involve the use of violent conflict to settle disputes. Hence, at the heart of inter-community conflict in the Niger Delta is the tension between the ‘traditional’ represented by the NDCs’ inherent autonomy and ancient practices and the ‘modern’ represented by the LGAs’ constitutional authority. The current constitutional administrative system in the Niger Delta blurs community autonomy and forces communities to interact in the geographical, political and legal space created by the LGA. The inability of LGA’s to provide adequate social, economic and political ‘goods’ for their citizens creates an environment where interaction between NDCs often involves competition for access to these goods leading to disputes which are often settled using traditional violent means. i Dedication To my family and friends for their firm support throughout this long academic phase of my life. ii Acknowledgements My immeasurable gratitude goes to God Almighty for divinely guiding me throughout this academic program. I am very thankful to my Director of Studies Dr. Simon Massey, for his consistent guidance, advises, constructive and productive tutorials throughout the various stages of this thesis. I will continue to remember our meetings that helped stimulates and motivates me in a supportive and encouraging way, when and where it was needed. I also deeply appreciate members of my supervisory team Dr. Alex Thompson and Dr. Felix Roesch for their comments on the progress of my research, especially on the data gathering and analysis phase. Their ability to constructively challenge my interview questions was of great importance in refining the field process. My appreciation goes to all the respondents that participated in the research, as well as those that supported the field work and gathering of data. Without this assistance, it would have been impossible to complete this research project. Finally, I acknowledge the support of my family members for their encouragement throughout my period of study. iii Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Dedication ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Acknowledgements .................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………Error! Bookmark not defined. List of Figures and Table ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Acronyms ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.1 Research Background ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.2 Statement of the Problem ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.3 Plan of the Thesis ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 2: Understanding Inter-Community Conflict in the Niger Delta .... Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.2 Conceptualising and Explaining Terminologies ............ Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.3 The Broad and Narrow Context of Community Conflict in the ND ... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.4 Causes of Inter-Community Conflict in the Niger Delta: the Scholarly Debate .....Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5 A Critique of the Existing Literature.............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Conclusion ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 3: The Analytical Framework & Methodology .......... Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2 The Analytical Framework............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3 Main Research Questions ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4 Methodology .................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. The Design of the Case Study .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The Region and ND States Selected ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Methods and Data Collection ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Semi-structured Interviews ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Document Review ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Observation ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Data Analysis .................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. iv Research Assessment ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Reliability of Data ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Validity of Data ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Ethical Review .................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Conclusion ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 4: The Context of Inter-Community Conflict in the ND ........... Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.2 An Overview of the Niger Delta’s Institutions .............. Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3 Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.4 Timeline of Inter-Community Conflict in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers Error! Bookmark not defined. Conclusion ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 5: Defining Niger Delta Communities ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.2 Assessing Divergent Definitions of Modern Niger Delta Communities.................Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.3 NDCs’ Nature: Past and Present .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.4 The Establishment of a Niger Delta Community ........... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.5 A Working Definition of Niger Delta Communities………………………… Page 124. Conclusion ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 6: The Characteristics of Inter-Community Conflict in the Niger Delta.............Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction .........................................................................