Can Federalism Achieve the ‘Purpose of Government’? : Ethnic Crisis and Protection of Life and Property in Nigeria

Abstract

The study resulted from the writers’ observation on raising cases of inter-ethnic crisis, insecurity, and the multiplier effects of loss incurred by residents in Nigeria. Loss of lives and properties possibly complicates an uncertainty in inter-ethnic relationships and insecurity in the country. Thus, while studies have examined the internally displaced persons (IDPs), and insecurity in the country, there is no study that has bridged the gap between the resettlement of residents on the one hand, and sustainable inter-ethnic
residents’ crisis management in Nigeria on the other. The study highlights the approaches of government for the resettlement of residents in residence in post-conflict situations, and identifies the reasons why the approaches of government on conflict prevention and management have failed to ensure residential rights in Nigeria. A descriptive research design was adopted, and qualitative data was sourced from secondary materials including newspaper articles, textbooks, and published and unpublished research studies. Cases of inter-ethnic clashes were purposively selected and analysed across the six geo-political zones in the country. Data were analysed using the desktop review method. The study revealed that there are no clearcut policies for the resettlement of displaced residents thus far in Nigeria. The measures of government on conflict prevention and management remain failed either due to lack of capacity for prevention ormanagement of attacks.