Ethnic Conflicts and Politics in North Central Nigeria – Wilfred UJi

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ABOUT THE BOOK

The struggle and scramble for allocation of values, land and resources by the diverse ethnic and political groups are primarily the reasons for disagreements and inter-ethnic hostilities in Nigeria. Conflicts in Nigeria are majorly products of inter group perceptions. 

The search for group identity and the struggle by the ruling political class to either overthrow a status quo or sometimes consolidate and maintain existing ones are major sources of concern. This book therefore, looks at cases of ethnic and political conflicts in Nigeria in contemporary times. The book attempts to x-ray these conflicts, looking at the causes as well as possible solutions to the issues.

This book is an outcome of several investigations on the Farmers-Herders Conflict in the North Central Nigeria.

I have also served as the Executive Secretary of the Benue State University Makurdi between 2016 and 2020, at a time when the farmers herders conflict had reached a crescendo.

I was privileged to had participated in several Peace Building Meetings like that of the Justice and Peace Foundation that is under the control of Catholic Church.

Both State and Church have made valuable inputs to provide a lasting peace between Farmers and Herders.

I will not forget to mention the Non-Governmental Organization known as the Zone B Youth Alliance of Benue State where I was invited as a Guest Lecturer on the Democracy Day of 2018. The Youth Movement was led by Hon. Aondona Dajoh who is the present Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly.

This book is a product of long years of advocacy work aimed at the reconciliation of violent ethnic conflicts in North Central of Nigeria. The book also examines the rise of Militant Islam and its threat to security in the North Central of Nigeria. Both Herdsmen Militia and Militant Islam are inter related and interwoven. They are two sides of the same coin that has been politicized over time, manipulated by the ruling political class for political gains. My teaching assignments at the Post Graduate School in Diplomacy, Security and Strategic Studies has also influenced my thoughts and contributed in no small measure the outcome of this book.

The Federal University of Lafia is located in North Central Nigeria the Geo political area that has been the greatest flash point of ethnic and religious conflicts. The publication of this books makes it timely as we reflect the current conflicts in this geo political area. It is a book for both Military Experts in search of solutions to our national security challenge.