Influence of Religious Leaders in the Management of Ethno-Religious Conflict in Tafawa Balewa Bauchi State, Nigeria 1999-2012

Political Science

Ethno-religious conflict has historical antecedent in Nigeria. Ethno-religious conflicts are the most prevailing and challenging. Therefore, religion and ethnicity cause prolonged conflict in Tafawa Balewa. Religious discourages hatred, envy and be wicked to other beings. Both Biblical and Quran teaches absolute mercy, compassion, affection among others. Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi state has witnessed serious ethno-religious conflicts as compared to other community across the country. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of religious leaders in the management of ethno-religion conflicts in Tafawa Balewa of Bauchi State, Nigeria from 1999-2012. The paper achieved the following objective: to investigate the strategies adopted by the religious leaders in managing ethno-religious conflict within the area of study. This paper adopts peace building theory postulated by John Paul Lederach (1997). This paper adopts descriptive research design based on semi-structure interview. The study used purposive sampling technique in selecting the key informants from the target population. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used to extract data. The data obtained from the field was analysed through interpreting and transcribing of interviews based on thematic content analysis. The findings of this paper revealed that the successful way of managing conflict between Muslim and Christian is through dialogue. Another finding also confirmed that religious leaders sat together and brought out issues in order to address conflicts. Lastly, the government relocate the local government headquarter from Tafawa Balewa to Bonunu town in order to have lasting solution to ethno-religious conflicts within the affected areas. The study concluded that religious leaders played an important role in promoting peace, among different faith groups in order to embrace one another, to live in good faith despite the fact that they came from different religion. The study recommends that religious leader should continue promoting sustainable peace across the state and beyond. Moreover, the government should work with religious leaders and other faith based organisations in promoting peace sensitization within the state and beyond.

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