Indigenous Political and Judicial Systems: A Panacea to Conflict Management in the Nigerian Environment: Experience of Ikwerre and Etche Ethnic Nationalities 1500-2000
Abstract
This paper examines the efficacy of Indigenous Political and Judicial Systems in the Nigerian environment as a panacea to conflict management from 1500 to 2000 with focus on Ikwerre and Etche ethnic groups. It adopts qualitative research method such as oral interviews and written records and functionalism theory and argues that the indigenous political and judiciary institutions provide room for engagement and reconciliation, the system also provides dispute resolution mechanisms such as traditional laws, age grade groups, priest of deities, kings, village heads etc, which provided justice, equity and fairness among the people. The study concludes that the indigenous political and judicial systems in Ikwerre and Etche were very effective and viable in conflict management in Nigeria during the period under review. The paper recommends that the Nigerian government should adopt the traditional indigenous political and judicial systems of conflict resolution strategy to ensure peaceful and stable environment.
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