a JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENT J I PAD VOLUME 18, NO. 2 I JUNE 2020 W io o° °o 0 . 00.0 bb r° obooXô oor _o o °oroó°ó H oro oro o o Do°o IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Journal of International Politics and Development (JIPAD) A publication of: The Department of Politicai Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria Volume 18, Number 2, June 2020 ISSN: 1597-3544 Cover Design by IR Media House [dspdoo7@ gm ail.com ; +19522017352; http://www.irm ediahouse.com/] Printed by EMAPHINE REPROGRAPHICS LIMITED Lagos. Tel: 08023266681, 08023077669 IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Journal of International Politics and Development (JIPAD) Volume 18, Number 2, June 2020 Contents Restructuring and Regional Autonomy: Capturing thè Prospects and Challenges of Southwest Regional Integration in Nigeria G afar Idowu AYODEJI, PhD & Iseoluwa Raphael OLAYINKA Africa and thè World: A Retrospective Reflection and Perspectives for thè future Solom on O. AK INBO Y E, PhD & A deniyi S. Basakin An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in Bayelsa State, Nigeria Benjam in A deniran ALUK O, PhD & Doutim iye Blenny OGBOFA The Effectiveness of Radio Lagos 107.5FM in Promoting Nigerian Culture in Ikeja Locai Government Area of Lagos State O m olayo Olusola JEG EDE (PhD); Patricia ERNEST-ONUIRI (PhD) & K olawole OLUGBO JI African Feminisms and Peacemaking in Nigeria: The Travails of Relevance Funm ilayo Idowu AGBAJE Reporting Corruption and Wrongdoing outside Organizations: The Dilemma of thè Extemal Whistleblower Solom on I. IFE JIKA Govemance and thè Nonviolent Approach in Nigeria d u r a n t i. O. AYOM OLA, (PhD) & Toyin O. FAL ADE Fortyyears after thè 1976reforms: thè continued search for relevance for Locai Govemments in Nigeria Gbeke Adebow ale ADENUG A (PhD) ii IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Editors Professor Olajumoke YACOB-HALISO Editor-in-Chief Dr Ngozi NWOGWUGWU Editor Dr Abidemi ISOLA & Dr. Michael OGU Review Editors Professor David 0 . ALAO Production & Marketing Editor Dr Olasunkanmi OSUNDINA Business Manager Editorial Advisory Board Professor Oladimeji Aborishade The University of North Carolina at Charlotte,USA Professor J. 'Bayo Adekanye University of Ibadan, Nigeria Dr Adeshina Afolayan University of Ibadan, Nigeria Professor Adigun Agbaje University of Ibadan, Nigeria Professor Ayandiji D. Aina Babcock University, Nigeria Dr Osita Agbu Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos Professor Biko Agozino Virginia Tech, USA Professor Solomon Akinboye University of Lagos, Nigeria Dr Fidelis Alien University of Portharcourt, Nigeria Dr Boia Dauda Independent Researcher, United Kingdom/Nigeria Dr Josephine Dawuni Howard University, USA Dr Judith A. Duncker Lehman College, City University of New York, USA Professor Toyin Falda The University of Texas at Austin, USA Professor W. Alade Fawole Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria Professor Attahiru Jega Bayero University, Nigeria Professor L. Adele Jinadu Independent Researcher, Lagos, Nigeria Dr Susan Kilonzo Maseno University, Kenya Professor J.A. Kayode Makinde Babcock University, Nigeria Dr Chiseche Mibenge Stanford University, USA Dr Alex Mwamba Ng’oma The University of Zambia, Lusaka Dr Ann Rita Karimi Njageh Catholic University of East Africa, Kenya Dr Insa Nolte The University of Birmingham, UK Prof Michael Abiodun Oni Babcock University, Nigeria Professor Mojubaolu Okome Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA Professor Antonia Okoosi-Simbine Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria Professor Iyabo Olojede Lagos State University, Nigeria Professor Shola Omotola Federai University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria Professor Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka UN-HABITAT, Kenya iii IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Journal of International Politics and Development (JIPAD) About Us The Journal of International Politics and Development (JIPAD) is a truly intemational, bi-annual peer-reviewed joumal with a reputation for high editorial standards. It is published by thè Department of Politicai Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and has never missed an edition since its inauguration in 2003. The joumal is currently in its fìfteenth edition and is published in January and June. OurMission JIPAD seeks to publish originai research that advances knowledge about politics, economy, society and development at thè global, intemational, regional and domestic levels. The joumal is interdisciplinary in scope and welcomes full- length articles, briefings, book reviews, conference reports and research notes that draw from, or can inforni developments across disciplines, and across national boundaries. JIPAD also provides a forum for interaction between policy and practice on questions of govemance and development, and thereby informs policy debates among scholars, researchers, policy makers and relevant audiences. The main criterion for acceptance of an article, though, is thè high intellectual quality of such a submission, and thè clear potential to contribute distinctly to debates in thè subject o f discourse. Subscription & Orders Enquiries about thè joumal, subscription and order information for individuate and institutions may be directed to: The Editor, JIPAD, Department of Politicai Science and Public Administration, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria, PMB 4010, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, or by email to Ngozi Nwogwugwu, jipad@babcock.edu.ng; nwogwugwun@babcock.edu.ng; or to thè Production & Marketing Editor, Professor David O. Alao, alaoda@babcock.edu.ng. i iv IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Editor’s Note The editorial team of JIPAD is delighted to bring you thè volume eighteen of our highly regarded joumal, JIPAD in keeping with our tradition o f publishing papers that are of thè highest quality that are at thè cutting edge of their genre. I am indeed grateful to thè editorial committee for their unflinching dedication to maintain our rigorous peer-reviewing tradition, which results to thè fact that continually year after year, at a quarter of thè papers submitted get published as majority are usually weeded out for not meeting thè standards that we have set for ourselves, o f not publishing for thè sake of publishing, but delivering thè highest quality in each volume and each edition of thè joumal that comes through thè press. This is thè first edition of thè joumal that is being published following my assumption of duties as thè Editor o f JIPAD. I promise to keep up thè tradition of publishing only manuscripts that meet thè highest quality. This edition had been delayed because of thè COVID-19 Pandemie and it direct effect on thè global economy, o f which thè educational sector was not immune. In spite o f thè effeets of thè pandemie, we have ensured that papers in this edition have been carefully selected to meet thè different categories of our readership across thè Social Sciences. They address pertinent issues o f global and national importance that are at thè firont-bumer of scholarly discourse. On behalf of thè Editorial Board, we once again place on record thè fact that we do not take your patronage for granted. We would not have attained our present heights without you and we count on your continuai patronage in thè years ahead, as we keep our pledge to always offer you thè very best that is comparable to any such joumal across thè globe. Ngozi Nwogwugwu, PhD. Editor IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY -------------------- 0 ^ * 0 O S ^ o --------------------- This page has beert left blank intentionally ---- Cv9(̂ V>-------- IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in Bay elsa State, Nigeria Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* Abstract Herdsmen and farmers conflict have become one of thè major sources of insecurity and violence in Nigeria. This phenomenon has become widespread as virtually all thè parts of thè country is experiencing it, though in varying intensity. This paper assessed thè approaches adopted in thè management of thè disenabling and destructive conflict by both thè state and non-state actors in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Data were collected fforn both primary and secondary sources. The United Nations Guiding Principles in Business and Human Rights was used as a tool of assessment. Findings revealed that thè Bayelsa State govemment's management approach, which was deficient in terms of locai ownership was less effective while thè Bayelsa State Conflict Management Alliance approach, an initiative of thè civil society, succeeded a great deal in reducing thè conflict and restoring peaceful coexistence between thè herdsmen and thè farmers. This study established that thè Bayelsa State Conflict Management Alliance approach succeeded due to its employment of thè United Nations principles as its fulcrum. Consequently, this paper argued for thè need for conflict interveners to involve thè locai people, as advocated in thè United Nations Guiding Principles in Business and Human Rights, in their engagements in conflict. Keywords: Bayelsa State, Herdsmen, Farmers, Conflict Management Introduction The threat of conflict is one o f thè major problems across thè world. Conflicts have threatened peaceful coexistence as well as thè economie and politicai stability of thè country since thè return of democracy in 1999 (Adeyinka & Akeem, 2010; Omotosho, 2010). The threats are underscored by thè increase *Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD is with thè Peace and Conflict Studies Programme, Institute for Peace and Strategie Studies, University oflhadan, Ihadan, Nigeria. He can reached through: niranaluko2@yahoo.com. *Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA, is with thè Peace and Conflict Studies Programme, Institute for Peace and Strategie Studies, University o f Ibadan, lbadan, Nigeria. 41 IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 42 An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... in ethno-religious and politicai conflicts as well as separatist agitations with their attendants' negative consequences (Alubo, 2006). The conflicts distribution across thè country is what Albert (2012) described as thè geography of conflicts in Nigeria. According to Albert (2012) thè North West and North East are plagued with devastating violent religious conflicts while thè North centrai zone is bedeviled by conflicts between farmers and herdsmen as well as conflicts between settlers and indigenes. Ethnic conflicts between thè Yorubas and Hausa-Fulani underscored by thè violent clashes between thè OPC and Arewa Youths and conflicts between members of National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) prevail in thè South West. In thè South East violent land conflicts, kidnapping for ransom and separatist agitations have remained unabated while thè south-south is home to youth militancy and agitations for resource control and sea piracy. These conflicts have contributed immensely to thè level of underdevelopment in thè country (Albert, 2002). Similarly, Danjibo (2006) avers that when conflicts rage on, incomes are negatively affected deaths and diseases increase while education opportunities for people especially thè less privileged are jeopardized. The foregoing conflicts distribution and thè effects which are not inspiring have changed drastically resulting in greater threats to peace and development in recent times. This is exemplified in thè emergence and upsurge o f violent conflicts between herdsmen and (farmers) communities in thè South West; Ilado in Ondo Town, Ekare Ekiti, South-east; Nimbo-Uzo Uwani, Abi in Enugu State and Ekpetiama in Bayelsa State, Obiaruku, Abraka and Ossisa in Delta State ( Vanguard, 2018; PMNews 2016). Osiade (2017) captured this upsurge thus: Many States had recently been in thè throes o f herdsmen due to a deadly resurgence of thè marauders, some o f whom are believed to be o f Fulani extraction, more worrisome is thè fact that some of thè States being rampaged by these shepherds are in thè Southern part of thè country as against thè impression that thè herdsmen are only operating in thè North. States like Bayelsa, Enugu, Delta and Ondo were recently caught in thè web of thè camage being perpetrated by these groups o f killers (Sunday Telegraph, 2017 pp33-34). IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 43 The activities o f thè herdsmen, especially thè sacking o f communities and destruction o f livelihoods in some parts of thè country made thè Nigerian 8th Senate to describe herdsmen as another Boko Haram. They therefore called on thè Inspector General of Police to contain thè activities and bring culprits to face thè wrath of thè law ( Vanguarà, s2017). Some factors have been advanced as causes of thè emergence o f thè conflicts in thè Southern States. According to Bambodo, rich pasture in thè North Eastem region of Nigeria is no longer available for use because of thè Boko Haram crises. The impact has been a downward /Southwards movement by nomadic Fulani herdsmen as they move in search of water and foraging resources for their cows. Conflicts become inevitable as they come in contact with farmers and farmlands because of thè destruction of thè farms by thè cows. The Fulani herdsmen on their part insist that conflicts between them and communities do not arise entirely due to destruction of farms by their cattle but also due to increased rustling of their cattle by community people. A pastoralist quoted in Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP, 2017, p. 2) impact report says that “our herd is our life because to every nomad, life is worthless without his cattle. What do you expect from us when our source o f existence is threatened?” Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) policy brief attest to thè above: Rural banditry associated with cattle rustling-the practice of stealing cattle and animals from thè herders or raiding of cattle from thè ranches has become a major concem for public policy in contemporary Nigeria...It has been estimated that in 2013 alone over 50,000 cattle were rustled across thè various States especially in thè Northern and North Central parts o f Nigeria. While it is estimated that over 300 herders were killed in that year, thè number of non -herders that have been killed in thè ffequent deadly conffontations between farmers and grazers is unknown (NSRP, 2015, p. 2). The last part o f thè above report conceming thè number o f non-herders killed in thè farmers and herdsmen conflicts being unknown applies to thè Bayelsa State experience. In Bayelsa state, pockets of under reported conflicts between herdsmen and farmers have occurred resulting in deaths and IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 44 An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies o f thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... destructions. The activities of thè herdsmen in thè state became media issue when farmers and community leaders in Ekpetiama clan in Yenagoa Locai Government Area o f thè state protested against thè destructions o f farmlands by herders and their cows in November 2016. According to King Dakolo thè traditional ruler o f thè clan: What is happening now is a recipe for disaster. It is very difificult to watch your crops which are doing well being eaten by cows. It could spark some clash some day between farmers and herders (PMNews, 2016). He then called for govemment's quick intervention to avert violent conflicts. Since conflict is inevitable in human social interaction, it is imperative for scholars to be concemed with how to manage conflicts in order to guarantee peaceful outcomes. In thè words of Lyam (2006): Where conflicts are not properly managed, peace and security which are thè necessary ingredients for good govemance, interpersonal and communal relations disappear. This can jeopardize thè development o f thè community in question be it atthe family or intemational level (p. 41). Apart ffom thè need to stop thè spread of thè conflicts across thè States, there is also a marked lack of appreciation of mutuai interest farmers and herdsmen stand to benefit through cooperation and collaboration. This lack could only be overcome by proactive conflict management methods and processes. This paper therefore focuses on thè management methods adopted by state and non-state actors in managing thè emerging herdsmen and communities' conflicts in Bayelsa State. The paper is sub-divided into Introduction, Bayelsa State environment, farming in Bayelsa state and its challenges, conflicts between herdsmen and farmers (communities) in Bayelsa State and management methods: Bayelsa State Govemment's approach and issues, Bayelsa State Conflict Management Alliance's approach and assessment of approaches and conclusion. Since thè emergence of thè conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in thè country, various methods have been adopted by govemments and communities to manage thè conflicts in thè country, ranging from communities' adversarial approaches to govemment's commissions of IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 45 inquiries. Unfortunately, however, because of thè grossly under reported nature of thè conflicts in Bayelsa State, empirical study of thè management methods adopted by stakeholders in thè state have not been carried out. The imperative for this lies in thè need to assess thè level of success or otherwise of thè measures adopted in thè state to manage thè conflict in terms o f meeting sustainable and preventive peace-building principles and enhancing peaceful coexistence. The Study Area The environment of Bayelsa State is very fragile and much of it is water (Dickson 2014). The land forms in thè state vary ranging from thè beach ridge-barrier islands at thè Atlantic coast through tidal flats to thè fresh water alluvial plains. The beach ridge -barrier island complex forms an outer chain of sediments which help to protect thè tidal basins in Bayelsa State from direct impact o f breaking swell waves of thè Atlantic Ocean (Oyegun, 1999). Not much agricultural activities take place in this area as thè soils are made almost entirely o f sand. Bordering thè beach ridge-barrier island is thè tidal flats or mangrove zone that connects thè beach ridges to thè tidal fresh water alluvial zone. The tidal flats are intersected by a network of ri-vers as well as creeks which are kept in continuous existence by thè flow of water along them during ebb and flow tide. Much o f thè land in this zone is under tidal influence and agricultural activities are greatly limited. The fresh water alluvial plain also called thè meander belts cover thè upper and lower delta plain that form thè relatively low-lying broad and more gently sloping portion o f thè Niger Delta basin. This stretch comprises small meander oxbow lakes, flood plains, alluvial cones, alluvial fans, naturai levees of rivers and creeks and back swamps (Okonny et al, 1999). The levee crest soils are those occupying thè highest portion o f thè Bayelsa land and are located near thè rivers or creeks. Their heights are above sea level and this makes them thè least flooded hence most towns and villages are located on them. The levee slope soils occur at thè back slope of thè levee between thè levee crest and flood plains. Some are submerged up to two meters or more at thè peak of thè floods while others are flooded not more than a few centimeters deep during thè flooding season. The flood plains are thè low-lying stretches of land bounded by levees. When floods start rising, they usually meet several barriers from thè levees allowing them to fili thè flood plain first and drain IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 46 An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... away when thè water recedes, making thè flood plains to be better drained than thè back swamp. The swamp soils are flooded for more than three months in a year. The water level in some back swamps is very dose to thè dry season river water level making it difficult for thè water to flow back into thè river, even when thè waters recede in October/November. In other situations, thè flood plains lack channels connecting them with thè river and do not drain easily after flooding. Apart ffom thè back swamps, there is also thè permanent swamp, with standing water all thè year round which is too wet for even raffia palm to survive. It is under deep water which drains away when flood waters recede but some remain for most, if not all thè dry season (Okonny et al, 1999). UNDP (2006) therefore described thè Niger Delta (especially Bayelsa State) as lacking in dry and relatively well drained land. This creates impediments to large scale or mechanized farming in thè state. There are naturai and man-made challenges to farming in Bayelsa State which include; thè Land Use Act, 1978, Flooding, Erosion and oil spillage (Dickson 2014). Flooding: The naturai terrain and hydrology o f thè state have caused certain environmental problems including flooding and erosion that impede farming in thè state. Seasonal flooding occurs in thè fresh water zone during river floods induced by rains and releases ffom dams upstream which keep communities and farmlands partially or wholly submerged for months (Dickson 2014). River Bank Erosion: This is another naturai challenge to farming in thè state which occurs at thè end of thè annual floods when saturated river bank soils become unstable and collapse into thè river due to lack of cohesion. Such affected lands are thè fertile and intensely farmed lands as in Agbere, Odoni, Sabagreia and Asamabiri (World Bank, 1995 cited in Dickson 2014). Oil Spills: Perhaps thè greatest challenge to farming in thè state is thè incidents of oil spillage. When oil pollutes land or water it causes unquantifiable ecological devastations. Dickson (2005) confirmed that from December 1996 to August 2005, over 280 oil spili cases were visited by thè Bayelsa state ministry o f Environment. Thus, thè scarce land for farming is severely polluted even as thè floods usually transport spilt oil from thè spili sites to other places resulting in decreased yield. IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 4 7 Interestingly, because o f thè absence of employment opportunities in thè private and public sectors, most young persons have engaged in farming against thè aforementioned odds and challenges (Oguru, Zuofa and Berepubo, 1999). This account for thè level o f attachment to farms and farmlands by thè people as it remains their main source of livelihood. Therefore, any attempt by herdsmen to graze their cattle through farms/farmland is an invitation to conflict and chaos. Understanding thè Nature and Character of thè Conflicts between Herdsmen and Farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria The major occupation of most o f thè people especially in rural areas in thè state is farming (BYSEEDS, 2009). Therefore, thè need to acquire, secure and maintain farmlands for farming purposes against thè earlier mentioned challenges have triggered communal conflicts like intra and inter family and intra and inter community conflicts. Interestingly, such conflicts hardly escalate to violence and crisis stage because cultural practices and traditional methods are used to manage them as land is stili deeply embedded in thè traditions of thè people despite thè influence ofmodemity (Dickson, 2014). Conflicts between herdsmen and communities in thè state which occurs over destruction of farms and farmlands in specific communities are therefore community-based conflicts. Also, because thè herdsmen are generally perceived to be of Hausa/Fulani extraction and thè communities are Izons (Ijaws) thè conflicts have thè potential of taking ethnic coloration. This was manifested by thè reactions that followed thè management approach of thè Bayelsa State govemment. The conflicts have tumed violent and recorded destructions and are heightened by thè downward southward movement of herdsmen and their cattle into thè state which coincided with thè late November planting season. Because thè primary and secondary forests are impenetrable for cattle, herdsmen simply lead their cattle to graze along thè flood plains, thus destroying crops and triggering conflicts. Over thè years, pockets of clashes between herdsmen and farmers were recorded in thè state. These isolated cases were contained by locai leaders. For instance, thè people of Okordia / Zarama and Biseni clans in Yenagoa locai govemment area o f Bayelsa State declared Hausa/Fulani herdsmen 'persona- non-grata' on their lands when herdsmen killed an indigene of Zarama community Mr. Uzeni Owe in Epie Zarama in 2006. The said killing was preceded by thè inflicting of injuries on a woman in her farm who protested against thè destruction of her farm by herdsmen whose cattle grazed through IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 48 An Interrogation o f thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... thè fami. The enraged community mobilized and chased out thè herdsmen from their land. The timely intervention of opinion leaders of thè community and thè National Orientation Agency (NOA) staff in thè rural development area of thè locai govemment averted counter attacks and crisis (NOA, 2006). However, in recent times, reports o f farmers and herdsmen conflicts have become more frequent with an equally increased casualty rate. According to thè Bayelsa State Conflict Management Alliance's conflict tracking reports (2016) on herdsmen and community conflicts in thè state, several communities had clashes with herdsmen over destruction of farms by cattle. According to thè report, in November 2016, Biogbolo, Etegwe, Okaka, Onopa, Okutukutu, Yenizue-Epie and Yenizue-Gene communities engaged herdsmen in violent conflicts over thè destmction of their farms by cattle. The youth president of Ikibiri reported to thè BYSCMA that indigenes o f Ikibiri community killed a cow as it was destroying their farms and thè Fulani herdsmen went berserk. It took thè intervention of thè police to avert crisis (BY SCMA, 2017). The conflict between herdsmen and Agbura community in November 2016 attracted thè Joint Task Force (JTF) in thè state who was bent on effecting mass arrests in thè community but for thè astuteness of thè traditional ruler of thè community His Highness E. N. Daufa. According to thè traditional ruler, thè incessant destruction o f farms by cattle and thè level o f impudence demonstrated by herdsmen in his community prompted him to declare that any cow which strayed into thè community or farm be killed. A cow strayed into to thè community after thè proclamation and was chased by youths and killed at Otuokpoti community (Agbura, 2017). The Fulani herdsmen reported thè matter to thè Joint Task Force (JTF). Tension rose as thè JTF laid siege on thè community for days in search of thè killers o f thè cow. In thè words of thè secretary to council of chiefs, Mr. Senior Andrew “We were traumatized, only God knows what we went through in thè hands of thè JTF officiate, 1 cannot teli how much it cost thè community apart ffom thè payment for thè cow” (Agbura, 2017). Herdsmen and community conflicts in Bayelsa State which is usually around resources and livelihoods have thè potential for easily taking on thè colouration o f ethnic conflicts between Izon and Hausa/Fulani ethnic groups in Nigeria. This much was demonstrated by thè protest o f Izon at home and in thè Diaspora against some measures taken by govemment to manage thè conflict. The conflict therefore posed potential threats to lives and livelihoods o f thè Izon and thè Hausa/Fulani within and outside Bayelsa State. IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY J1PAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 49 An Interrogatimi of thè Management Approaches of thè Herdsmen and Farmers Conflict in Bayelsa State, Nigeria As thè conflicts between herdsmen and farmers (communities) spread in thè state and became media issue, thè state govemment and other stakeholders carne up with various management approaches to manage thè conflicts. The Bayelsa State Government Herdsmen and Farmers Management Approach (Track One) The Bayelsa State govemment approach was bome out of a desire and necessity to contain thè spread o f thè conflicts across thè entire state. The state Govemor Dickson Seriake, made a policy statement in November 2016, designating thè Bayelsa State palm land owned by thè govemment as grazing /ranch area. Accordingly, thè govemment provided 1,200hectares of land for this purpose and set up a committee on thè control and management of cattle ranches on 14* December 2016 with thè responsibility o f relocating all cattle dealers and herdsmen with their cattle to thè palm estate. The committee swung into action and effected relocation of cattle to thè state Palm Estate at Elebele. The govemment approach engendered certain issues which escalated thè conflict credentials in thè state and heated up thè polity as it has become a source o f conflict between thè state govemment and thè citizens, including members of thè politicai class and opinion leaders. The concems pertain to thè following: Fears ofHost Communities The likelihood that thè policy may end up shifting thè herders-farmers (communities) conflicts from thè scattered points in thè state to thè host communities of thè grazing/ranch area (Elebele, Otuoke, Okaka, Azikoro, Agbura, Otuokpoti). Two factors underlie this fear, one is that thè boundary of thè proposed grazing/ranch area has not been clearly defmed and fenced. Consequently, thè host communities reasoned that thè herdsmen may encroach on their lands and destroy crops. Secondly, due to thè fact that thè area is an oil palm plantation, large part of it has no reasonable grasses to sustain grazing for too long. Consequently, thè communities fear that thè herdsmen may be forced to move further into thè land/forest and consequently result in thè destruction o f farmlands and associated conflicts. This fear was confirmed by thè secretary o f thè state ranch /grazing committee that there are logistics and technical problems with thè state govemment policy. One such issue he mentioned was thè inaccessible state of IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 50 An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... thè palm estate, that most of thè 1,200 hectares o f land are in a state of primary forest and a good part is waterlogged and unfenced. It follows therefore, that even if thè committee forcibly relocated all herdsmen and their cattle to thè designated ranch and grazing area, thè possibility o f confining them at thè palm estate in order to forestali contacts with farms and farm-lands and averting conflicts is rather slim. This fear has informed thè traditional rulers o f thè host communities who have met several times to strategize on how best to counter thè govemment policy. According to thè traditional ruler of Elebele community, they have resolved to take legai action against thè state govemment. His counterparts ffom Azikoro and Agbura confirmed their readiness to pursue thè matter in court for thè interest of their lives and livelihoods. Cedìng oflzon Land to Fulani Another concem was that thè land in question was provided for use with thè intent to make it a market but an announcement by thè chair o f thè grazing /ranch management committee and head of Miyeti Allah Alhaj i Shittu that, thè land was a donation to thè herdsmen has made people to conclude that thè govemment has ceded thè land, and fear that it could become a Fulani enclave that may create further security problems in thè state. The foregoing is informed by thè deep seated inter-ethnic and religious suspicions in thè country which appears to underlie this. It was further heightened by thè stories of thè Fulani taking over any land giving to them for grazing in other parts of thè country with thè use of fire arms. This story which went virai in social media is a reference point o f thè antagonists o f thè govemment policy exemplified by a coalition o f Ijaw groups across thè Niger Deltaregion, thè Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), and thè group known as Mothers of Ijaw Nation (MIN) led by Niger Delta activist, Ms. Ann Kio Briggs. The groups organized a mass protest in Yenagoa on 23ri November, 2016 asking Dickson to rescind his decision on thè establishment of a ranch to thè herdsmen. The group opined that thè act of thè state govemment was treacherous and a clear betrayal of Bayelsans who voted thè govemor into power. They emphasized: this is a criticai period in our nation. We do not want our women raped and killed, we do not want our children defiled and we do not want our kings kidnapped and killed, we do not want AK47 wielding herdsmen within Bayelsa state. We want to IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 5 1 unequivocally state that Dickson is inviting terrorists to Bayelsa State by allocating grazing land tokiller squads under thè guise o f herdsmen. If we may ask, how many free fishing rivers and farmlands have northem govemors allocated to southemers to carry out fishing and fami businesses in thè north (Saturday Telegraph 2017, pp 32-34). Lack ofLegislation The last issue is thè lack of legislation which clearly defines thè policy or addresses thè concems of thè people. Legislation is highly instrumentai to thè regulation o f human activities in every society. The result of lack of legislation in response to thè problem is speculations and confusion which heightened fears and escalation of thè conflicts. While thè communities and indigenes of thè state are concemed with future conflicts linked to tussles over land ownership and encroachment on lands/farms, thè herdsmen are worried that thè location is not yet suitable for cattle breeding due to lack of water and thè low land nature of thè place which may be flooded during thè raining season. This they fear, may result in clashes as herdsmen are either reluctant to move to thè designated location or those who have moved in may be forced to lead their cattle to graze outside of thè area. Bayelsa State Conflict Management Alliance Approach (Track Two) The Bayelsa State Conflict Management Alliance (BSCMA) is a platform of thè Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) of thè British Council raised in 2014. The platform and thè activities are anchored by thè Center for Niger Delta Studies, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma. Membership of thè platform is drawn from civil society groups, thè press, security agencies, representatives o f govemment functionaries, faith-based organizations, governm ent agencies and com m unity representatives. The overall purpose of NSRP mission was thè application of improved policies and practices that help manage conflicts non-violently within NSRP target States. The BSCMA received complaints o f herdsmen's harassment and conflicts between herdsmen and communities from representatives of communities and through her conflict tracking tools. Following thè receipt of complaints from thè various communities, thè convener, Prof. S. Ibaba made herdsmen and communities conflicts a priority issue and mandated thè Conflict Resolutions Committee of thè platform to do a proper analysis o f thè IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 52 An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... conflicts. The committee identified stakeholders, trends, nature and dynamics of thè conflicts and presented a report to thè convener who on thè basis of thè said report convened a meeting of stakeholders on May 10,2016 in Yenagoa on peaceful coexistence between pastoralists (herdsmen) and agrarian communities (farmers) in Bayelsa State and raised a conflict alert. The objective of thè meeting was to aggregate various suggestions and recommendations fforn stakeholders as Solutions to peaceful co-existence between farmers and herdsmen in Bayelsa State and to use such consensus ffamework as an advocacy tool to relevant authorities for early waming and early response. According to Prof. Ibaba thè convener of BSCMA, while thè Imam of thè centrai mosque was represented on thè platform, thè various cattle dealers were not represented. The task before thè convener was how to reach such groups. The non-representation of herdsmen and other cattle dealers on thè platform underscored thè level of importance attached to conflicts between herdsmen and communities before thè current upsurge. The conflict resolution committee therefore paid an advocacy visit to thè Chief Imam of thè Central Mosque in Ekeki, Yenagoa who brought together leadership of thè Arewa Community in thè state, representatives of thè Butchers Association of Bayelsa State and other cattle dealers and got commitment from all to attend thè enlarged stakeholders meeting on peaceful co-existence between farmers and herdsmen in Bayelsa State. They also expressed their appreciation for thè convener for providing a platform for farmers and herdsmen to meet to find Solutions to their problems. The enlarged stakeholders meeting o f thè BSCMA held on 10th of May, 2016 on peaceful co- existence between farmers and herdsmen agreed on long term, immediate and interim measures to manage thè crisis. Long Term M easures include: 1. Government should designate an area far from thè city centre for grazing and cattle owners/herdsmen can either buy or lease land within this area for their activities. Cattle breeding should be restricted to thè designated area. 2. Legislation should be made by thè State House of Assembly to regulate cattle breeding in thè state. IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 53 Immediate / Interim Measures 1. No child should lead cattle for grazing alone. They should be accompanied by an adult. 2. There should be no night grazing / movement. 3. There should be no grazing in cultivated and residential area. 4. A Header-Farmers Peace Committee, initiated by thè Department for State Security (DSS) should be strengthened. The committee should be established at both state, locai govemment and clan/community levels, and is to receive complains from parties and handle or channel such to state security committee and others as may be appropriate. 5. Herdsmen should report to thè herders-farmers committee on arrivai to any community. Such herder(s) should then be taken to thè community chiefs and other community leadership structures before thè commencement o f grazing. 6. Farmers and herdsmen should refrain from attacking one another when they are aggrieved. They should rather report to thè appropriate channel/authority for appropriate interventions. It is pertinent to state that thè BSCMA intervention started before thè State Govemment's announcement designating thè state palm estate as a ranch/grazing area. Interestingly, it was after thè govemment's policy announcement and thè ensuing conflicts that thè BSCMA's Conflict Resolution Committee met with thè State Govemment's Conflict Resolution Committee on 9* March, 2017 where both agreed to work towards peaceful co- existence between herdsmen and communities in thè state. Consequently,.the BSCMA was requested to nominate a member each into thè State Conflict Management Committee with thè Deputy Govemor as chairman and thè Committee on Ranch Management and Control. The BSCMA also proposed a bill for a law to provide-for Bayelsa State cattle breeding area/market, thè regulation of same and other related matters having realized that thè resolutions o f thè meeting could only become effective with a legai backing. The presentation o f thè bill to thè state house of assembly has been followed up with advocacy visits by thè conflict resolution committee of thè BSCMA to thè majority leader and thè chief whip of thè State House o f Assembly. The BSCMA also organized a training workshop for stakeholders on early waming and early response. Participants were drawn from host communities of thè palm estate, members o f govemment committee on cattle ranch, members o f thè State Conflict Resolution Committee, butchers IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 54 An Interrogatici! of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... and members o f other cattle dealers' associations and representatives of herdsmen. It also took another step to reduce thè conflicts caused by contacts between herdsmen and farmers by launching 'no grazing'sign posts with thè message: No Grazing Area in Yenagoa and erected them along major roads/streets and other strategie places where grazing used to take place. There were also radio talks on peaceful co-existence between herdsmen and communities facilitated by thè convener of BSCMA. The radio programme offered opportunities to thè public to contribute during phone-in time. An Assessment of thè Approaches (Tr ack OneandTrack Two Diplomacy) The UN guiding principles on business and human rights provides a tool and process for non-judicial grievance settling. The process emphasizes among others, building stakeholders trust to ensure legitimacy, providing adequate assistance to individuals or groups to access information, providing clear procedure and timeframe, providing individuals / groups with advice on how to engagé in a grievance in respectful terms. It also emphasizes transparency, accordance to intemationally recognize human rights and continuous dialogue. It is pertinent to state that thè herders/farmers conflicts in thè state is over resources and border on certain human rights such as right to life, right to own property, right to engagé in lawful business. Interestingly, both farmers and herdsmen are engaged in lawful business hence thè appropriateness of thè principles to evaluate thè approaches in this assessment. This is done by assessing thè level of compliance to thè principles by thè approaches. Secretary to thè Arewa community in Bayelsa state Ali Maiwada was emphatic when he said “thè govemment policy cannot work for now, thè place is not safe” (Yenagoa, Aprii 24, 2017). The paramount ruler of Azikoro community confirmed thè above when he said “thè govemment announcement of tuming thè palm estate to a ranch and grazing area carne to us as a surprise” (Azikoro, 24 Aprii, 2017). It follows that they were not consulted as criticai stakeholders whose farmlands share boundaries with thè palm estate. In terms of inclusion thè govemment ranch committee does not have representatives o f thè host communities. These expressed concems and reactions clearly underscore thè absence of basic principles of preventive peace-building such as monitoring of early waming signals, proper analysis, wide consultation, inclusion and participation of all criticai stakeholders in thè management process. IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 55 From thè peoples' reactions to thè state govemment policy and thè ensuing conflicts, it is pertinent to state that thè govemment approach was devoid of trust building which raised thè issue of legitimacy as stakeholders did not identify with it. The approach was also bereft o f adequate information dissemination channels to empower stakeholders on thè processes and never engaged in consultations and dialogue. It also failed to factor in thè approach Castro (2010) contention that resource management and livelihoods cannot be separated from peace building which heightened fears o f stakeholders in terms of their resources and livelihoods. The foregoing underscored thè weaknesses o f thè approach hence its failure in successfully managing thè conflicts. The BSCMA approach followed thè United Nations guiding principles on business and human rights. By identifying and going to thè stakeholders BSCMA was able to build thè trust and confidence of parties in thè conflict which guaranteed legitimacy of thè process. It started by a proper analysis of thè conflicts and brought together identified parties to seek Solutions thus, provided adequate information on thè process to thè stakeholders. This was reinforced by thè radio talks on peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen as well as thè launching and erection of'N o Grazing Sign Posts' at strategie locations. Through thè workshop it organized for stakeholders it also provided them with knowledge on how to engagé with respect in a conflict situation. The meetings and consultations ensured continuous dialogue that enhanced peaceful coexistence and dousing of tensions. The success story of thè BSCMA approach to thè conflict was echoed by thè Deputy Govemor Rtd. Admiral John Jonah. He expressed happiness that BSCMA has succeeded in not only bringing representatives of farmers and herdsmen together but reduced tension and built trust amongst various stakeholders. Corroborating thè above, thè paramount rulers o f Azikoro and Agbura communities confirmed that BSCMA has provided them thè opportunity and platform to dialogue with leadership of herdsmen and other cattle dealers which has reduced mutuai suspicion and fear that characterized their relations before thè intervention. According to HRH Amadoko, C. and HRH Daufa, N: “we now know where to channel our complaints when our women come crying to us for thè destruction of their farms by herdsmen and their cattle” (Yenagoa, Aprii 27,h, 2017). IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 56 -A11 Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... Conclusioni This study has examined thè management of Herdsmen and communities' conflicts in Bayelsa State. Two major approaches have been identified, namely, tracks one and two diplomacy. Put differently, thè govemment management approach and thè civil society management approach. Though both approaches were aimed at curtailing thè spread of thè conflicts across thè state, thè Bayelsa State Govemment's approach was top-down, non­ consultative and adversarial which resulted in escalating thè conflicts. The BSCMA approach which was characterized by wide consultations, trust and confidence building, capacity building and reliance on continuous dialogue legitimized thè processes which encouraged active participation o f all stakeholders that enhanced peaceful co-existence between herdsmen and communities. It is recommended that conflict interveners must ensure that their approaches are in conformity with recognised human rights and best practices for purposes of achieving desired outcomes. IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JIPAD Voi. 18, No 2 Benjamin Adeniran ALUKO, PhD* & Doutimiye Blenny OGBOFA* 57 References Adeyinka, A. & Akeem, A. (2010). Democratic process and security challenges in Nigeria since 1999. In Olorude, L. (ed). Reflections on a decade o f democratization in Nigeria. Fredrich Ebert Stiftung Albert, I. O. (2012). Rethinking conflict, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria in Albert, I. O, Danjibo, N D and Eselebor, W.A. (eds). Peace, security and development in Nigeria. Ibadan: John Archers publications. Alubo, A. (2006). Ethnic conflicts and citizenship crisis in thè centrai region o f Nigeria. Ibadan. Programme of Ethnic and Federai Studies (PEFS). Bayelsa State Government (2005). Bayelsa State Economie Empowerment and Development Strategies (BYSEED). Yenagoa: Government Printer. BSCMA Conflict Tracking Report 2016 Castro, P. A. (2010). Communities and naturai resource onfliet in Africa: Reflections on conflict management options for peace-building in Darfur www.maxwell.syr.edu/parc/.. .castrol%20article%20indarfur Danjibo, N. D. (2006). Traditional mechanism of managing conflict in Africa: The role of Mgilo Institution among Lelna of Zuruland in North western Nigeria. Journal o f thè society for peace studv and practice, 1(1),67-101. Dickson, A. A. (2005). Oil and Development in Nigeria: a study of Gharain, Ekpehama, Kolo and Oloibiri Communities in Bayelsa (1980 - 2004). M.A. Thesis submitted to Peace and Conflict Studies programme at U. I., Ibadan, Ibadan - Nigeria. Dickson, A. A. (2014). Dynamics of land use related conflicts and their management in Bayelsa State, Nigeria 1999-2000. Unpublished PhD thesis submitted to thè Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com /Bayelsa-farm ers-decry-destruction-of- crops-by-cattle/ - Dakolo, November 23,2016. http://www.vanguardngr.com - Herdsmen attack, another Boko Haram. l st June,2017. http :/w w w .ohchr.org/docum ents/publications/G uiding Principles on Business HR_EN.pdf accessed on 20,h August, 2017 Lyam, A. A. 2006, Kwande Crisis: A community crisis of many interests, Gyruse, T. and Ajene, O. (eds) Conflicts in thè Benue valley. Makurdi: Benue State University Press.National Orientation Agency (NOA) IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 58 An Interrogation of thè Management Strategies of thè Farmers and Herdmen Conflict in ... Yenagoa, Bayelsa State 2006 Annual Report NSRP (2015). Policy Brief: The Politicai Economy of Rural Banditry and Contemporary Nigeria. NSRP 2017 Impact Report: Economie and Naturai Resources Oguru, A, Zuofa, K. & Berepubo, N. (1999). Agriculture. In E. J. Alagoa (ed), Land and people o fB ayelsa State: Central Niger Delta, (pp. 232-310). Pori Harcourt: Onyoma Research Publications. Okonny, L. P, Ayolighe, G. & Dickson, A. A. (1999). Geology and soils. In E. J. Alagoa (ed). The Land and People o f Bayelsa State: Central Niger Delta, (pp. 9-30). Pori Harcourt: Onyona Research Publications. Omotosho, M. O. (2010). Conflict and democratic impasse in thè fourth Republic in Nigeria. In T. Ngarka and Z. Reuben (eds), Law and national security in thè fourth republic Lapai Democracy Series. Lapai: IBB University Research Publication. Osiade, O. (2017, July 8). HerdsmenAttacks: Witherranches, grazing reserves bill. Saturday Telegraph, pp 33-34. Oyegun, C. U. (1997). Climate, Relief and Drainage. In E. J. Alagoa (ed), The Land and People o f Bayelsa State: Central Niger Delta (pp. 31-44). Port Harcourt: Onyomah Research Publication. UNDP (2006). Niger Delta Human Development Report. Abuja, Nigeria: United Nations Development Programme. Vanguard www.vanguardngr.com June27,2018. IBADAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY