Conflict Management and National Development: The Nigerian Experience.

Abstract

Nigeria is usually characterized as a deeply divided state in which major political issues are vigorously some would say violently contested along the lines of complex ethnic, religious and regional divisions in the country. This paper focuses attention on ethnicity and religion as some of the main challenges to the development of democracy. The study reveals that the nature and composition of the State is very important and central to the nature of the relationship that exists within it. If it is an unstable, hegemonic and illegitimate contraption, there is often the tendency to instability and chaos arising from the unhealthy rivalry that will always be built up within it. On the other hand, if it evolved on the platform of consensus and fair play, there is the tendency for it to have a serene domestic politics. The study thus suggests that the state must become credible, accountable and transparent. The people individually and in groups must be the center of developmental programmes. It must be appreciated that power belongs to the people and they must be given free hand to elect the government of their choice at every general election. Government must be sincere and carry the people along in its developmental programmes. Above all, government must sincerely ensure an equitable distribution of the product of our collective labour.