Settler-Indigene Conflicts and National Integration in Nigeria: A Study of Lokoja Metropolis, Kogi State

Abstract

Crisis in the world at large has become a phenomena issue. This situation has gone far that even remotest villages across borderlines have toed the part of war rather than dialogue. There are severally cases of communal clashes emanating from perennial matters among major ethnic groups in Kogi State. The objective of the study is to examine the role of settler-indigene conflict and its attendant consequences on national integration especially as it affects Lokoja metropolis. The theoretical framework of this research work was drawn from elite theory. This research has its methodology rooted in both quantitative and qualitative method and systematic technique was used to draw 100 respondents and data obtained was analyzed descriptively via content analysis. The study argues that settler-indigene conflict has created disunity among different ethnic groups in Kogi State. This perspective also assumes that frequent conflict among settlers will degenerate into chaos and breed disunity. The results of the study reveal that the major causes of conflict among settler-indigene in Lokoja was the quest for power, struggle for ownership of land and access to water for fishing. The study recommends amongst others that; there should be a strong sharing formula to foster unity among settler-indigenes; meritocracy should also be the watch word for appointments into key positions in the state. In other words, there is need for national integration through peaceful procedural way that will promote peaceful co-existence.