Stakeholder Roles in Managing Ethno-Religious Conflict: A Case Study of Za'ar Land, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Yohanna Lusa Markus

Abstract


This study investigates the roles of stakeholders in managing ethno-religious conflicts in Za'ar Land (Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas) in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study collected qualitative data through in-depth interviews with 235 traditional leaders, religious leaders, local government administrators, and political leaders. The findings reveal four key stakeholder roles: communication, problem-solving, mediation, and accountability. The study further uncovers that conflicts are deeply rooted in historical grievances, particularly the resistance to forced religious conversion and the long-denied creation of a Sayawa chiefdom. Elite manipulation, political marginalization, and perceived bias in government responses, including the failure to implement recommendations from past commissions of inquiry, are identified as critical factors perpetuating tensions. The study concludes that sustainable peace requires a shift from reactive to proactive governance, emphasizing justice, impartiality, and the establishment of inclusive governance structures like the Sayawa chiefdom. It recommends that the Bauchi State government demonstrate political will by implementing the findings of past commissions, ensuring accountability, and fostering inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders. 


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