Intragroup Relations and Conflict Management in Odual Kingdom: The Emirikpoko Experience, 1972 - 2018

Abstract

This paper examined conflicts in Odual Kingdom using the Emirikpoko crisis as a case study. The kingdom that was known for its hospitality and peaceful co-existence has been hit by series of conflicts, especially Emirikpoko Community that won the nick name “Dubai” because of its relative peace, love, unity and hospitality. Emirikpoko is now a conflict prone area and its name is synonymous with conflict, as well as youth restiveness. Conflict is a bane of societal growth and development, hence it is counterproductive and anti-development. Studies have shown that periods of conflicts are periods of arrested development and Emirikpoko is a case at hand. The paper employed both primary and secondary sources of data collection such as Oral interview, archival materials with vital and relevant information on the area of study. The paper established that the conflict in Emirikpoko started in 1972 as a result of land dispute, non-adherence to existing laws and power tussle between the two largest families (Otuake and Edumeru). Since then, there has been one form of conflict or the other with the most recent violent occurring in 2018. The findings of the study revealed that land disputes, chieftaincy, Agip pipeline royalty, enmity, youth restiveness and greed were the major causes of the conflict. The paper also established that the conflict resulted to loss of lives, destruction of properties, stagnated development and increased enmity and external influence in Emirikpoko matters. The work shows that a lot of effort and measures has been put in place including the indigenous methods of conflict resolutions, yet it still persist. The researchers therefore recommended the non-violence approach, out of court settlement, and other civilized globally accepted ways to manage and resolve the Emirikpoko conflict rather than opting to violent confrontation. The paper concluded that land ownership and leadership tussle related conflicts should be handled carefully and diplomatically as they are capable of triggering conflicts that may degenerate to crisis situation.