"Religious" Violence in a New Democracy: A Study of the Kaduna and Jos Crises of 2000 and 2001

Abstract

The expectation of a peaceful and stable Nigeria with democratic experimentation was dashed when, at the dawn of the 21st century democratization, the country began to witness a resurgence of violent uprisings particularly of religious character. Using the Kaduna and Jos crises of 2000 and 2001, respectively, as case studies, this paper examines the interconnectedness between an apparently religion-oriented violence and the process of re-democratization in Nigeria. The paper found explanation for violence of such character in religious manipulations of the period which are made possible in Nigeria by first, the nature of democracy itself; second, opportunities created by the new democratic dispensation; third, the inability of democratic regimes to generate and spread dividends of democracy; and lastly, the religious composition of the country. The paper concludes that, although they seem to wear a religious toga, these violent eruptions are more political in character and orientation.