This document provides an abstract for a study on traditional conflict resolution processes in Aniocha–South Local Government Area, Delta State. The study aims to: (1) identify major social conflicts in the area; (2) determine traditional conflict resolution methods and their frequency of use; (3) establish traditional agents of conflict resolution; (4) ascertain the effectiveness of resolution; and (5) find levels of satisfaction with outcomes. A descriptive research design was used with surveys of elders and young adults. The major findings were that the most common conflicts were chieftaincy tussles, land disputes, and debt. Traditional methods like mediation and adjudication were believed by elders to be used often but not by young adults. Eld

1. TRADITIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS: A
STUDY OF ANIOCHA–SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREA, DELTA STATE
BY
Emmanuel Onyiye CHIADIKA
For complete project work, contact me on:
jaybloxy@mail.com
NOVEMBER, 2015

2. ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to asses the role of the African traditional process of
conflict resolution in Anioucha - South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State. In
specific terms, the objectives of the study were to:- (i) Identify the major social conflicts
present in Aniocha – South; (ii) Determine the major traditional conflict resolution
methods and their frequency of use.(iii) Establish the major traditional agents of conflict
resolution;(iv) Ascertain how effective is the resolution;(v) Find out the levels of
satisfaction that disputants have with the outcomes of the process. A review of the
related literature was done on concept of conflict; causes of conflict; theoretical
perspectives on conflict and conflict resolution; meaning of conflict resolution; principles
of conflict resolution in African traditional societies; methods of conflict resolution in
Africa and empirical studies. A descriptive research design with the survey method was
adopted for the study. In the survey, the elders and the young adults formed the
population. From this population, ninety-nine young adults and elders were selected
from three different villages/towns, including Ogwashukwu, the headquarters of
Aniocha-South LGA. These people were the potential respondents. A self made
questionnaire/interview protocol was made. This was used on this potential respondent
to obtain data and information relevant to the title of the study. At the end of the
administration, sixty two usable copies were collected. The responses of the
respondents were analyzed, using the five research questions and the two null
hypotheses. The research questions were answered with the and of frequencies,
percentages, means and rankings, whole the hypotheses were tested using student’s t.
The major findings of the study are: (i) Twelve types of social conflicts occur in the
Aniocha-South LGA. The major one are Chieftaincy tussles, land disputes and long-
standing debt; (ii) The elders believed that the traditional methods are used quite
often; but the young adults did not think so; (iii) The major traditional methods of
conflict resolution used in Aniocha-South LGA are mediation, dispute settlement through
negation community sanction and adjudication in the traditional courts; (iv) The
traditional agents of traditional conflict resolution are six in number, including three
major ones: traditional ruler-in-council, professional and market associations. (v) The
elders thought that the traditional process is effective while the young adults thought it
is only quite effective. Similarly and the young adults that disputants are quite satisfied
with the outcome of the process. (vi) There is a significant difference in the views of
elders and young adults on the frequency of use of traditional methods and on the
effectiveness of the traditional process of the conflict resolution in Aniocha LGA of Delta
State. The elders believed that the methods are used often and the process is effective.
The young adults did not think so.

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Title Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3
1.3 Research Questions 3
1.4 Purpose of the Study 4
1.5 Hypotheses 4
1.6 Scope of the Study 5
1.7 Significance of the Study 5
1.8 Operational Definitions of Major Terms 5
CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Concept of Conflict 7

4. 2.2 Causes of Conflict 8
2.3 Types of Conflicts 9
2.4 Theoretical Framework 9
2.5 Meaning of Conflict Resolution 13
2.6 Contemporary Conflict Resolution Options 14
2.7 Principles of Conflict Resolution in Traditional African Societies 16
2.8 Methods Engaged In Resolution of Conflict in Africa 18
2.9 Importance of Conflict resolution 20
2.10 Empirical Studies 23
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Area of the Study 28
3.1 Research Design 28
3.2 Population 28
3.3 Sample Size 29
3.4 Instrumentation 29
3.5 Validation of the Instrument 29
3.6 Reliability of the Instrument 29
3.7 Method of Data Collection 30
3.8 Data Analysis Techniques 30
3.9 Administration of the Analysis 30
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
4.1 Description of the Sample Characteristics 31

5. 4.2 Answering of the Research Questions 32
4.3 Testing of the Null Hypotheses 40
4.4 Summary of Findings 41
4.5 Discussion of Findings 42
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 44
5.2 Conclusion 46
5.3 Recommendations 46
5.4 Suggestions for Further Studies 47
References 49
Appendix 53

6. CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
There is no society which does not have conflict of one kind of another (Cohen
1968:184), There conflict is inevitable in human society. Whenever people interact,
there is a potential for conflict (Calhoun et al 1997:19) African regard conflict as part of
life and aspect of their cultural activities. Which often show cased evidence of virility,
responsibility and versatility. They were quite to understand the nature and
fundamentals of conflict and its impact on social development. Conflict therefore, is in
the psyche of Africans. African simply believe that a source of a thing define its origin or
genesis, thus a source of conflict in African traditional societies provides a road map to
the understanding of the conflicts situation and consequently leads to the resolution.
Source of conflict in African societies are written and unwritten. Most of the
unwritten are derived from oral data such as songs, pithy saying, proverbs and
maximums. Conflicts also derive from family level, economic point of view, chieftaincy,
breakdown of diplomatic relations this often led to inter-communal conflict and violence,
breaking of communal taboo, breach of sacred sanction, defecation on shrines,
sanctuaries, groves. These lead to religious conflicts, breakdown of covenant,
negligence of social responsibilities and violation of cultural norms Africans cherish their

7. personality and ethos of respect and honour. Thus one will find out that assault on
personality often generates conflict.
There is no doubt that Aniocha region has its fair share of conflict in recent
times, the region has experienced series of conflict. The process of the conflict styles
adopted in Aniocho land was the focus of this research work.
Traditional institutions for conflict resolution exist in African society. They have
been instrumental enablement of harmony (Agboola, 2013). This situation has enabled
individuals in the society to understand and interpret the norms which occasion peace
and harmony. Bolarinwa (2008) identified some agents of conflict.
i. Political Institutions (Palace of traditional ruler for example
ii. Economic Institutions (e.g Market Associations)
iii. Social Institutions (e.g Family or age-grade)
iv. Religious Institutions (Such as duetics or ancestors)
These institutes have been purposefully established in order to enhance the social
engineering which encourages wholesome unity in diversity across cultural boundaries.
The concept of tradition has always aroked some level of sentiment controversy,
and ambiguity in social science discourse (Zartman, 2000:7). At some time, the
colonialists regarded anything tradition to be synonymous with savagery and paganism
(Onwuejeogwu, 1975).
Furthermore, there is hardly any consensus as to where the time-line should be
drawn between the traditional and the modern or western (Nukanga, 2007). However,
it is now agreed that patterns of behavior which have characterized a group of people

8. or an area for a reasonably long period of time constitute what is generally regarded as
traditional (Braimah, 2009)
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Peace is not a condition; it is a process. Peace is a process which involves
activities and agencies (agents) that are lined up to prevent conflicts as well as resolve
or manage conflicts. Studies have been done on the role of African traditional
Institutions in the peace process. Such Studies include those of Agboola (2013) on
Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State; Saad (1999) on some North
eastern Nigerian communities; Onwuka (2012) on Agbor land in Delta State; and
Abdulrazak (2014) on Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State. Findings indicate that inspite of
western incursions into the cultures of the peoples, there are in existence effective
traditional methods of resolving conflicts and promoting peace in the societies (Osita,
2006 and Adeleke, 2010) The present study would add to the growing body of findings
about the efficacy of African traditional methods of peace building and conflict
resolution in Aniocha South LGA of Delta State.
1.3 Research Questions
The research questions raised for this study were:
i. What are the major types of social conflict prevalent in Aniocah South Local
Government Area (LGA) of Delta State?
ii. How often are the of traditional conflict resolution methods being used in
Aniocha South LGA?
iii. What are the agents of traditional conflict resolution?

9. iv. How effective is traditional process of conflict resolution in Aniocha South LGA?
v. To what extent are disputants satisfied with the outcomes of traditional conflict
resolution process?
1.4 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study was to assess the role of the African traditional process
of conflict resolution in Aniocha South LGA of Delta State. In specific terms, the
objectives of the study were to:
i. Identify the major social conflicts in Aniocha South LGA.
ii. Determiner the major traditional agents of conflict resolution
iii. Establish the major types of traditional conflict resolution methods used in
Aniocha South LGA and how often they are used.
iv. Establish how effective is the African traditional process of conflict resolution in
Aniocha South LGA, and
v. Examine how satisfied are the disputants with the outcomes of the conflict
resolution process.
1.5 Hypotheses
The following hypotheses were posited for the study
(i) There is no significant difference in the traditional methods of conflict resolution
being used in the views of elders and young adults in Aniocha-South LGA.
(ii) No significant difference exists in the views of elders and young adults on the
effectiveness of the traditional process of conflict resolution.

10. 1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope covered the assessment of the frequency and effectiveness of the
African traditional process of conflict resolution in Aniocha South LGA of Delta State.
1.7 Significance of the Study
The findings and the recommendations of this study are likely cover the main
African traditional of promoting peace through conflict resolution in Ilorin Emirate
presently and future. If so, then the elders are likely to be properly reminded and
sanitized about the productive traditional ways of conflict resolution. The elders and the
youth should come to appreciate the usefulness of the traditional ways of promoting
peace and be committed to carry on with the worthy legacy.
There are three models of conflict resolution and transformation. These are:
(i) Traditional model of conflict resolution and transformation such as by elders
council and ruler-in council.
(ii) Westernization/modern model including use of police and courts (Common law);
and
(iii) Mixed model involving traditional and modern models (Otite, 2006).
The findings and conclusions of this study would establish the traditional
methods in use and whether a mixture of traditional and modern methods would
be preferred in future in the 21st century.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms and variables

11. a. Traditional African Institutions: The traditional African ways of conflict
resolution and peace-promotion were regarded as institutions or methods
b. Old and Young: The chronological, ages given by the adult were used to
identify the old (70 years or above) and young (below 70 years).
c. Conflict Resolution: Conflict resolution is an outcome in which the issues in an
existing social conflict are satisfactorily dealt with through a solution that is
mutually satisfactory to the parties. Conflict resolution approach includes
mediation/diplomacy and peace process (Oyesola, 2005). It addresses the
causes of conflict and seeks to build a new and lasting relationship between
hostile groups (Aiyede,2006)
d. Conflict Management: This incorporates arbitration, litigation, and
adjudication. It focuses on the demand of the confliction parties and uses
concessions and compromise as the instrument of setting the conflict. Everyone
in disputes gains something and everybody loses something (Oyesola, 2005). It
is a long-term arrangement, involving institutionalized provisions for dealing with
conflict. (Alyede, 2006)
e. Peace Promotion: This is the process of bringing security and development,
including the prevention and resolution of conflicts.
f. Traditional: Patterns of behaviours which have characterized a society for a
reasonably long period of time starting from pre-colonial times, constitute what
may be regarded as traditional