The Role of Traditional Rulers in Peace Building in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria
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THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN PEACE BUILDING IN ZANGON-KATAF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE NIGERIA BY Irmiya Thomas, USMAN (MSC/SOC-SCI/21268/2012-2013) A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA AUGUST, 2017 1 Declaration I humbly declare that, this thesis titled “The Role of Traditional Rulers in Peacebuilding in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria” has been carried out by me in the Department of Political Science. The information derived from the literature has been duly acknowledged in the text and a list of references provided. No part of this thesis was previously presented for another degree at this or any other Institution. _______________ _______________ ____________ Name of Student Signature Date 2 Certification This thesis entitled “The Role of Traditional Rulers in peacebuilding in Zangon- Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria” by Usman Thomas Irmiya meets the regulations governing the award of the degree of Master of Science of the Ahmadu Bello University, and is approved for its contribution to knowledge and literary presentation. __________________________ ____________________ Prof. P.P. Izah Date Chairman, Supervisory Committee __________________________ ____________________ Prof Yusuf A. Yakubu Date Member, Supervisory Committee _________________________ ` ____________________ Dr Aliyu Yahaya Date Head of Department ________________________ __________________ Prof. S. Z. Abubakar Date Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies 3 Dedication With sincere heart, I dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my late mother Mrs Rhoda Sheyin, and the entire victims of ethno-religious conflict in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 4 Acknowledgement It is a normal tradition that at end every of academic exercise of this nature, one is indebted to a number of individuals whose valuable contributions in one way or the other have made it possible for a successful completion of such programme. In a situation like this such individuals are too numerous to be mentioned. First and foremost, I would like to convey my inestimable debt of gratitude to Almighty God whom by His Grace, granted me the health and strength to pass through the rigour of this academic exercise. A strong dose of gratitude also goes to St Francis Anglican Church Saye Zaria, which happened to be the first institution I learned how to bring together abc…xyz to form a word. I also, owe immense debt of gratitude to my parents especially my late mother Mrs. Rhoda Sheyin who took the initiative to send me to school to acquire formal education. I also express my immense appreciation to my able supervisors Prof. P.P. Izah and Prof. Yusuf A. Yakubu through whose tutelage and scholarly guide made this academic exercise a huge success. I should also like to thank all the lecturers in the Department of Political Science and International Studies Ahmadu Bello University, their meaningful contributions to my academic mentorship and maturity in Knowledge. Prof. R. A. Dunmoye, Prof. E. Unobe, Prof. K. Omojuwa, Prof. A. Hudu, Prof. U. Ka'oje, Dr. S. Abubakar, Dr. I.M Abbas, Dr Edgar Agbubama, Mallam Aminu Garba, Mallam A. Sai'du (late), Dr. Mahammed Faal, Dr. Audu Jacob, Dr Aliyu Yahaya, Dr David Moveh, Dr. I. Shehu, Dr. M. Nurudeen, Dr. D. Hassan, Dr. T. Lawal, Dr. B. Gwarzo. Thank you all. Thus, without any hesitation, though words are not enough to demonstrate my immense debt of gratitude to Dr. and Mrs Usman Sarki whose both material and immaterial supports above all prayers deem it fit to shoulder this academic responsibility right from my 5 undergraduate to postgraduate levels. Daddy and Mummy I appreciate your efforts. I also wish to register my sincere thanks to all my brothers and sisters who have contributed meaningfully in one way or the other, materially and otherwise in the course of this study, Laraba, Mr and Mrs Sunday Sarki, Mr and Mrs Eleazer Haruna, Mr Timothy Usman, Yunana Bakut, Dr. Gladys Sarki, Mr and Barr. Mrs Bala Awodi, Ezekiel Bakut, Caleb Damvo, Arc. Musa Sarki, Mrs Salome Bishen, Dorcas Anthony, Dr. John Sarki, Dr. PeterSarki, Josephine Patrick, Blessing Sarki, David Sarki , Asher Sarki, Solomon Samari. May almighty God continue to bless you and also grant you long lives and prosperity. I also express my sincere thanks to my friends, who in one way or the other contributed in no small measure to the successful completion of this academic exercise. Manasseh Maichiki Paul, Lawrence Peter Abin, Ali Subi Barila, Balarabe Kure, Abdulnasar James, Fidelis Ojuj Ainako. My classmates and other post graduate friends, late Olorunfemi Wasiu,, John Isaac, Shakira Omotoriogun, Kamba Bayo. I cannot forget to mention my friends during my undergraduate years, Abass Alexander Adejumo, Baba Bala Hussain, Shitu Daniel, and Akumefula Ugonna. Thank you all. 6 Abstract Across Africa and the developing world traditional rulers are held in high esteem as custodians of culture and traditions. The influence and control gained by Nigerian traditional rulers might not be unconnected with the value systems of most of the ethnic groups of the areas within which the traditional rulers are based. Traditional rulers put a lot of effort through various peacebuilding initiatives to ensure peaceful coexistence among their subjects in their respective domains. The study examines the role of traditional rulers in peacebuilding in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Questionnaire and interview instruments were used to source for primary data. Human Needs Theory was adopted as a theoretical framework to guide the study. The choice of the theory is informed by the fact that, there are certain needs that are necessary to individuals‟ survival, which serve as precondition for meeting other needs. Among these basic needs is safety and security. People must meet these basic needs before they can think of anything. The study found out that, manipulation of ethnicity and religion constitutes the major source of conflict. There are other equally important causes of conflict in the LGA. They include: poverty, unemployment and political differences etc. The findings further revealed that, traditional rulers in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area have played some specific roles, and are still playing some specific roles in peacebulding. These specific roles are; dialogue and conflict reconciliation through holding regular series of meetings with leaders of ethnic and religious groups in their chiefdoms; creating awareness on peaceful co-existence among different groups in their respective chiefdoms; relief materials were provided to the displaced victims of conflict in some of the chiefdoms. They ensured the return of the people that were internally displaced during the 2011 post-election violence to their houses. However, peacebuilding is not a stage in time of conflict rather; it is a dynamic social process, which takes place before, during and after conflict. Since conflict is inevitable in every human society, peacebuilding will still remain a dynamic social process. 7 Table of Contents Title Page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i Declaration ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii Certification---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii Dedication ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv Acknowledgement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------v Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------viii List of Tables ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xii List of Acronyms -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xiv CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION ---------------------------------------------------1 1.1 Background to the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem -------------------------------------------------------------------4 1.3 Research Questions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 1.4 Objectives of the Study ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 1.5 Research Propositions -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 1.6 Justification of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study -------------------------------------------------------------------8 1.8 Research Methodology ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 1.8.1 Sources of Data ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 1.8.2 Population and Sample Size of the Study --------------------------------------------------------10