Negotiation and Mediation as Method of Conflict Resolution: A Study of Akataka-Ekpa-Omaka and Omege-Echara Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the process of negotiation and mediation as an alternative dispute resolution. It focuses on the implication of corruption to Land Dispute Resolution in Akataka-Ekpa-Omaka and Omege-Echara, Ikwo. Negotiation and mediation have played very significant roles in peace building in the globe, particularly in the developing countries such as Nigeria. Unarguably, the trend is reversing as a result of corrupt practices arising from the stakeholders of conflict resolution. It is against this backdrop that, the study examined the nexus between corruption and negotiation/mediation as an alternative dispute resolution in resolving Land Dispute. The data used for this study were gathered from both the primary and secondary sources. The primary sources include; questionnaire and observation, while secondary sources include; internet, journals, textbooks, magazines etc. The narrative and trend analytical techniques were also employed in the qualitative data analysis. While descriptive analytical technique tools such as tables, percentages, and histograms were also used. The theoretical frameworks used for the study are structural functionalism and social conflict theory. The study averred that corruption is an evil wind that blows no one any good as it distorts the peoples traditional and cultural values, and ignites further land conflicts. The outcome of corrupt practices is that, it results to community economic woe, leadership tussle and loss of lives and property. The study recommended among other things that neutrality of stakeholders in the constitution of peace committees and ex-communication of defaulters of land corrupt practices in various communities shall serve as a deterrent to others.