THE UGBO-MAHIN CONFLICT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ILAJE SOCIETY BY AJIGBADE, IKUEJUBE B.A. (Ado-Ekiti), PGDE, M.A. (Ibadan) Matric No: 64274 A Thesis submitted to the Institute of African Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, APRIL, 2012 CERTIFICATION I certify that this research work was carried out by Ajigbade Ikuejube in the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan under my supervision. --------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- Date SUPERVISOR O. B. OLAOBA, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ibadan) Senior Research Fellow Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 2 DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the Glory of the Almighty God, the Giver of knowledge and wisdom and also to my wife, Blessing, and children: Bukola, Seun and Victor. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people and establishments have contributed directly or indirectly to the successful completion of this study. They deserve to be remembered and thanked for the various parts they played. I am, therefore, grateful to Ondo State Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission and Ilaje Local Government, for their assistance and support. My sincere gratitude goes to Dr. O. B. Ọlaọba, who, in addition to being my supervisor was a friend and an academic adviser. Throughout the entire course of the programme, he provided me with necessary guidance, encouragement and support. I must confess that it was his kindness and encouragement that kept my interest going throughout all the stages of this work. I shall ever remain grateful and appreciative. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to other staff of the institute: Professor Albert, Dr. Adekunle, Dr. Danjibo, Dr. Adekola, Dr. Faleti, Dr. Olorunyomi, Dr. Ishola, Dr. Samuel. Through their wise conselling, they provided me with assistance and direction on this study as well as in my academic training. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Hon. Prince Oyebo Aladetan and Hon. Otito Atikase, members of Ondo State House of Assembly, representing Ugbo and Mahin, respectively, for providing me with most of the data and information used in this study. I must also show my deep indebtedness to Chiefs, Baale, elders and educated youngmen in Ugbo and Mahin communities, who have assisted me in various ways to ensure the completion of the work. My sincere gratitude also goes to my wife, Blessing, and children: Bukola, Seun and Victor for demonstrating great understanding and endurance throughout the period of undergoing this programme of study. I am also grateful to my parents, Pa Timothy Ikuejube and Mrs. Margaret Ikuejube who continue to stand by me. I owe a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Abiodun Liasu, who cheerfully and diligently typed the initial and final drafts of this thesis under great pressure. I 4 thank all those who, in one way or the other, contributed in making this thesis a reality. Above all, I am grateful to God Almighty, for giving me the grace to complete this work. 5 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS A.D.O. Assistant District Officer C.S.O. Chief Secretary‟s Officer C & S Cherubim and Seraphim D. O. District Officer DIV. Division F.G.D. Focus Group Discussion J.H.S.N. Journal of Historical Society of Nigeria N.A.I National Association for Advancement of Knowledge N.C.E.M.A. National Centre for Economic Management and Administration N.D.D.C. Niger Delta Development Commission OMPADEC. Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission OSOPADEC Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission Prov. Province Vol. Volume 6 LIST OF FIGURES Page Fig. 1 Map of Ilaje Local Government showing principal towns in Ugbo and Mahin ------- --------- 19 7 LIST OF PLATES Page Plate 1 Symbols of traditional government. -------- 173 Plate 2 Fishing gear ------- 174 Plate 3 The Malokun festival ------- 175 Plate 4 His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Adebanjo Akingbade Mafimisebi The Olugbo of Ugboland 1982-2007 ------- 176 Plate 5 His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Adetemi Omowole III The Amapetu of Mahinland ------- 177 Plate 6 Grade B court in Ode-Mahin --------- 178 Plate 7 Grade C court in Ode-Ugbo ---------- 178 Plate 8 The State Government with Ugbo and Mahin leaders in search of peace ---------- 178 Plate 9 Focus Group Discussion held in Igbokoda the administrative headquarters of Ilaje Local Government ----- 179 Plate 10 Interview with Chief Biola Enikuemehin at Ode-Ugbo ------ 179 Plate 11 Interview with Prince Raphael Irowaninu at Ode-Mahin ---- 180 Plate 12 Interview with Chief Isaac Menawonu at Ode-Mahin ------ 180 Plate 13 Interview with Princess Florence Mohinro at Ode-Mahin -----181 Plate 14 Interview with Prince Paul Okorisa at Ode-Mahin -------- 181 8 GLOSSARY OF YORUBA WORDS Aja Traditional symbol of authority Alaghoro Member of the highest traditional judicial court Akase Fishing spear Amapetu Title of Mahin king Arubeji Traditional symbol of authority Awo Fishing net Ayelala Traditional goddess Baale Head of village Eporo Bamboo pole Ibatan Relation Iyanma Fishing basket Ọba King Ọkọ Boat Olugbo Title of Ugbo king Oluweri River goddess Olukun Friends Ọmọ baba Paternal sibling Ọmọ iya Maternal sibling Ọmọ lebi People from the same family Ọpa Staff Ọpa Ilaje Symbol of Ilaje statehood Otu Age grade Okorobojo: The goddess, which provides fertility to barren women 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page ------ ----- ----- i Certification ------ ----- ----- ii Dedication ------ ----- ----- iii Acknowledgements ----- ----- iv List of Abbreviations ----- ----- vi List of Figures ----- ----- ----- vii List of Plates ----- ----- ----- viii Glossary of Yoruba words ----- ----- ix Table of Contents ----- ----- ----- x Abstract ----- ----- ----- xii CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ----- 1 1.1 Introduction ----- ----- ----- 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ----- ----- 11 1.3 Aims and objectives of the study ------ ----- 15 1.4 Scope and limitations of the study ----- ----- 16 1.5 Justification of the study ----- ----- 20 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND THEORETICAL FRAME WORK 25 2.1 Conceptual discourse ---- ----- 25 2.2 Conflict and conflict management ----- 32 2.3 Review of existing literature ----- ----- 39 2.4 Nature and causes of ethnic conflict in Nigeria ----- 39 2.5 Ugbo-Mahin relations ----- ----- 47 2.6 Theoretical framework ----- ----- 53 2.7 Structural conflict theory ----- ----- 53 2.8 Relational theory ----- ----- 55 10 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ----- 64 3.1 Study population ----- ----- 64 3.2 Sources of data collection ----- ----- 65 3.3 Method of data collection ----- ----- 65 3.4 Method of data analysis ----- ----- 66 3.5 Problems of data collection ----- ----- 67 CHAPTER FOUR: THE UGBO-MAHIN CONFLICT ----- 70 4.1 Pre-Colonial Ugbo-Mahin Relations ----- 70 4.2 Historical antecedents of Ugbo-Mahin conflict ----- 70 4.3 The impact of colonial influence on the Ugbo-Mahin conflict 89 4.4 The triggers of Ugbo-Mahin conflict in the post colonial period ----- ----- ----- 96 4.5 Strategies for managing the Ugbo-Mahin conflict ----- 100 CHAPTER FIVE: EFFECTS OF THE UGBO-MAHIN CONFLICT ------ 112 5.1 Effects of the conflict on social relations ----- 112 5.2 Effects of the conflict on oil exploration and compensation ----- 115 5.3 Effects of the conflict on kingship institution ----- 119 5.4 Effects of the conflict on infrastructural development ------ 122 5.5 Effects of the conflict on social institutions ----- 124 5.6 Effects of the conflict on religions institutions ----- 129 CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ----- 139 6.1 Summary ----- ------- ------ 139 6.2 Research findings ------ ------- ------ 141 6.3 Recommendations ------ ------ ------ 143 6.4 Conclusion ----- ------ ------ 144 Bibliography ----- ----- ------ 148 Appendices ------ ------ ------- 159 11 ABSTRACT Available literature on Ilaje society has been concerned with the legal framework of colonial rule, indigenous political structure, economic development and missionary activities. There has not been any extensive study on the Ugbo-Mahin conflict and its implications for social development. This study, therefore, examined the Ugbo-Mahin conflict in Ilaje area of Ondo state with specific focus on its implications for social relations, oil exploration and compensation, infrastructural development, kingship and religious institutions. The study also investigated and interrogated the pre-conflict pattern of interactions between the Ugbo and the Mahin and how they have been affected. The principal instrument of data collection for the study was the unstructured interview. In-depth interview were held with fifty community and opinion leaders from each of the two communities. Four Focus Group Discussions were held with persons knowledgeable about the conflict. Archival materials, petition and letters of protest and photographs were used. Data were also collected from reports of government commissions of inquiry, books, journals, newspapers and internet materials. The data were then subjected to content analysis. The Ugbo and Mahin had friendly relationship before the advent of colonial rule. The Ugbo-Mahin conflict dated back to the colonial period and is carried into contemporary times. The conflict has led to destruction of lives and property in the area. Different ethnic unions of parallel functions have emerged in the two communities. These unions have used their rivalry to stall industrial development by demanding separately for improved social life. The Ugbo-Mahin incessant conflicts have, thus, undermined