Peace and National Development in Nigeria: The Rivers State Experience

Emmanuel I Wonah

doi:10.7176/dcs/9-9-08

Abstract

The paper examined Peace and National Development in Nigeria: The Rivers State Experience. The paper argued that whereas peace is a sine qua non for National Development, the nature and character of Nigerian state has exacerbated conflict which threatens peace and national development in Nigeria and Rivers State in particular. The Marxian Political Economy and the Frustration-Aggression theory (F-A) were used as analytical constructs. One of the major assumptions of the Marxian Political Economy is that society is divided into two classes – those who own the means of production (Bourgeoisie) and those who do not own the means of production (Proletariats). The Bourgeoisie exploit the proletariats by appropriating the surplus value generated from a social production. For Frustration-Aggression theory, frustration leads to aggression. The paper relied on secondary sources of data and the paper noted that there are unresolved, destructive and seemingly perennial conflicts which encumber peace and national development in Nigeria and Rivers State. The paper recommended inter alia, that democratic institutions should not only be strengthened, but also democratic culture should be imbibed and demonstrated by Nigerians, particularly the political elites in Nigeria. Key words: Peace, National Development; Conflict; Nigerian State. DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-9-08 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Highlights

It is axiomatic that no two persons are exactly the same, not even identical twins
It is against this backdrop that the paper takes a critical look at peace and national development in Nigeria with particular reference to Rivers State within the purview of the nature and character of the Nigerian State
According to Wonah (2016), Politics of exclusion can be seen as a form social exclusion which is a multi-dimensional process of progressive social rupture, detaching groups and individuals from social relations and institutions and preventing them from full participation in the normal, normatively prescribed activities of the society in which they live. It follows that the promulgation of the obnoxious land Use Act, the attendant refusal to allow the states to control their resource, the scuttling of the autonomy of the other tiers of government, local government, and the concentration of power at the centre, explains the pseudo federalism practised in Nigeria and encumbers good governance and waters the ground for conflict to thrive in Nigeria

Summary

INTRODUCTION

It is axiomatic that no two persons are exactly the same, not even identical twins. This means that different persons have different tastes and preferences which are exemplified in their different interests. Man loves living in a community with his fellow man as a social animal. It appears, the more centripetal forces pull man together, the more centrifugal forces pull them apart. As a precipitate of the social contract theory, the state performs some basic functions such as the protection of lives and property, harmonization of the ever conflicting interests of man, fair and equitable distribution of scarce resources and the promotion of the welfare of the citizens. The efficacious performance of these basic functions by the state can enhance peace and national development which is dependent on the nature and character of the state.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Findings

UNDERSTANDING PEACE