Political Instability and Economic Development in Nigeria a Case Study of Jos North Local Government 2001 – 2015
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this research is to examine the impact of political instability on the economic development in Nigeria with particular emphasis on Jos North Local Government. Other objectives are:
- To trace out what is responsible for the crisis that engulfed the state in 2001.
- To examine the factors responsible for the economic backwardness in the state from the period 2001 – 2015.
- To establish if there is any negative setback to the affected persons living in Jos North Local Government
- To bring out the socio-political and religious implication of the crisis and ways to resolve them.
- To identify and analyze mechanism that can be used to handle future conflicts.
CHAPTER TWO
LAND AND PEOPLE OF JOS METROPOLIS
Introduction
This chapter explained the land and the people of the area (Jos metropolis) together with the inter groups relations that took place in the area since before colonial epoch, during the colonial period of domination and including relations after independence of Nigeria. Jos enjoys a usually temperate climate. It used to be a quiet and peaceful city, and with its alluring cool weather, it was a heaven for peace-loving Nigerians and foreigners alike. Situated among Rocky Mountains, its stunning scenic beauty attracts all lovers of nature.
Moreover, a great number of top retired and serving military officers, politicians, civil servants and members of the business community from the Jos Plateau and other parts of Nigeria usually find it customary to build or buy private houses for themselves in the suburbs of Jos[1]. With this attraction, but by the period of our study, the opposite happened where people within and outside Jos sees the place as difficult to leave because of social unrest.
Geographical Background
The Jos Plateau of Nigeria is one of those restricted areas of tropical Africa, where the systematic exploitation of its resources by modern methods has created an ‘economic island’, surrounded by vast areas with poorly developed exchange economy. It is also a geological island of volcanic formation, and both its varied landforms and its tin-based economy closely associated with the various phase of volcanic activity in the area. During the Fulani conquest of the surrounding plains in the early nineteenth century, the hills and steep slopes of the plateau provided adequate defense strongholds to which the indigenous population retreated.[2]
Location
Jos is historically located between Bauchi Emirate and the Hill Ngas independent District. This area is not large and is the center of the Northern Province of Nigeria 1903-1960. It is occupied by the great plateau of Bauchi; from the beginning of colonial conquest and domination until 1926 when Plateau Province was created from the Province of Bauchi, Muri and Nasarawa.[3] This province rises to the height of over 4000 feet above sea level and is marked off from the lower plains by precipitators’ walls. The Bauchi Plateau within two decades of the 20th century is the hydrological center of protectorate. From it, the Rivers radiate North, South, East and West but while at first it flows in such a diverse direction, they became ultimately included in one or other of the two great hydrological systems; the Nigeria Benue or the Chad Inland system.[4]
The geographical position of Jos situated the area on the apex of the plateau over 1800 meters above the sea level and is located on the latitude 9:5 degree North and longitude 8:5 degree East on the present day Nigeria.[5] The area is surrounded by Hills except on its North Western parts around Gurum. To the East are Dogon Duste and Naraguta Hills, which rises to over 1300 meters and 1400 meters respectively. To the West are the Janta Hills which rises to over 1280 meter. And the South is many small and larger inselberg and rocky crops.[6]
The Jos Plateau further measuring 105 km North to South and 80km East to West, and rises from the Southern edge of the Great Plains that extended over greater part of the Northern Nigeria and overlooks the Niger and Benue in escarpment more or less pronounced.[7] The plains lie between 610m and 762m but near the plateau it rises gently to about 915m.[8] Geographically, we understand that it is located West between latitude 4oN and 14o N and longitude 3o E and 15o E meridian. Bordered, on the West by Benin Republic, on the South by Gulp of Guinea. It is these geographical positions of Jos which served by communication network and also converged on its greatest assert that is responsible for its rapid growth and development.
CHAPTER THREE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE CRISIS OF 2001 – 2015
Introduction
This chapter will look at various economic developments in Jos North Local Government prior to the outbreak of the 2001 – 2015 conflicts in order to have a clear picture of the economic developments before the conflicts. So that we will clearly see how it impacted on various aspects such as in Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Transport and Communication among others. It is also important to note that prior to the crisis of 2001, Jos North is an important place for settlement especially it’s climatic condition which has to do with conducive environment of the area, also its vegetation and soils which made the area important for agricultural and commercial activities.
Agricultural Activities
Agriculture has been regarded as one of the major significant aspect of economy of every society as it provided most of the necessities of life. In this order, the main Economic activities on the Jos Plateau since its creation has been relied on the Agricultural production it is well known that climatic condition played a vital role on the determination of the type of crops or system of Agriculture to produce and so, the climatic condition of Jos favors the production of various crops which include: apple, maize, tomatoes, peppers, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes, cabbages, onions, carrots, green beans around the upper Plateau.[1] While crops like yam, rice, guinea-corn, banana, sugarcane, millets, maize, groundnuts etc. in the lower Plateau. Some of this crops are annually produce during the rainy season from April to the end of October to early November, while some are producing even during the dried season through irrigation methods, most especially vegetable fruits.[2] It should be noted that this production are sometimes in subsistence or commercial and be sold out which aided in terms of business as well as revenue allocation to the state.
The population food markets in the Southern zone of the Jos produce crops like, maize, yam, sorghum, rice, beans, millet, guinea–corn, groundnut in abundance place like Wase, Quan-pam, Shandam, Lantang Local Government alongside the Mangu, Bakos and Bassa Local Government respectively.
Trade and Commerce
The Location of Plateau State I the Kano-Kaduna-Jos industrial triangle and is strategic communication network as well as agricultural products has made the State into a commercial nerve center for the North-Central. The products of the industries in Jos and the proximity of Kano and Kaduna which are equally important centers of the manufacturing industry make the goods and services produced easily available thanks to the effective road network.[3] The rail link to the South and North, as well as the airport linking Jos to Lagos make the availability of goods and service form these areas available in the State. As such an intricate wholesale and retail trade has developed in the North-Central zone with its center based in Jos.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE MAJOR ETHNO RELIGIOUS CONFLICT AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT (2001 – 2015)
Introduction
This chapter will examine the major Ethno-Religious Conflict and Political Instability in Jos Metropolis between 2001 – 2015. The chapter will also discuss some of the major factor that led to the outbreak of Jos North Conflict which are Political, Ethno-Religious among others.
Jos Conflict
Nigeria has witnessed an upsurge in the occurrences of such conflict. Most of them were as a result of traditional reasons in Northern Nigeria from the early nineties, these outbursts also began to take place in the South of the country. Jos a city in the North central region of Nigeria (also sometimes known as the middle belt region) previously known for its peace and tranquility, joined the growing list of locations with violent conflict from the early nineties, with the biggest crisis occurring in 2001.
The mass violence in Plateau State over the past decade began on Friday 7th September, 2001, just over two years after the transition from military to civilian rule in 1999. The outbreak of September 7th 2001 violence conflict was a response by the contending groups in Jos to the appointment of a Hausa-Fulani Alhaji Muktar Muhammed as a coordinator and a Chairman of the monitoring committee of the National poverty eradication program for the Jos North Local Government Area. This was the immediate cause of the conflict. The appointment sparked protest and resentment from indigenous group on one hand and jubilation from the Hausa-Fulani on the other. The appointment was resisted because Alhaji Muktar was from Gombe.
The conflict was brought under control in Jos and its environs after three days of fighting in the first instance. There was another violence on Wednesday September 11th, 2001 with the unleashing of intense violence in central Jos the conflict spread further to other parts of Jos and its environs, where there were clashes between Berom farmers and Fulani.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CONFLICT ON THE PEOPLE OF JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Introduction
The impact of the conflict on the life of Jos and people of Jos North Local Government cannot be over emphasized. It will be of great important to note that, as a result of the conflict, many lives and properties were destroyed, which further affected the demographic of the society. Similarly, the conflict had negatively affected the agricultural production of the society because a lot of farms were destroyed and farmers were equally afraid of going to their farm lands. In addition to that, many people were force to flee their homes in order to survive; as such many families were separated from their kins. Furthermore, the learning institutions of the environment ranging from primary, secondary and tertiary were force to close because of the threat of losing their lives and as such learning was taken backwards. Moreover, the conflict had a great negative effect on the economy of Jos North such as trade and commerce, transportation among others.
Summary
This research work looked at the History of political instability and economic development using Jos North Local Government as a case study from 2001 – 2015. This was made possible in the following chapters. The chapter one looked at the statement of research problem, aims and objectives. It also discussed the scope of the research, Historical methodology and reviewed some relevant literature.
The second chapter discussed the land and people of Jos North Local Government their geographical location, the climate and vegetation of the area, soil and rainfall were discussed as well. The chapter went further to explain the people of the area which consist of Anaguta, Afizare and chapter three of this research of Jos North Local Government prior to the outbreak of the 2001 – 2015 conflicts in the area of trade and commerce, transport and communication, agriculture as well. The chapter went further and discussed Jos North as an important place for settlement especially it’s climatic condition which has to do with conducive environment of the area, also its vegetation and soils which made the are suitable for agricultural and commercial activities.
Chapter four discussed the major ethno-religious conflict and political instability in Jos metropolis between 2001 – 2015. Further, the chapter discussed the Jos North conflict both the remote and the immediate cause the conflict which are political, economic, ethnicity, religion values and perception.
The fifth chapter discussed the socio-economic impact of the Jos North Local Government on its people. Such impact included destruction of lives and property, impact on agriculture, change of settlement effect on Education, effect on trade and transportation which in turn the daily activities of the society has change entirely as a result of the conflict. Impact of the ethno-religious crisis in this area has no doubt crippled activities around it and this impact has been negative because the peaceful co-existence among the people was shattered as a result people could no longer trust each other and therefore interaction and integration among people of the two major religions i.e. Christian and Muslim and other ethnic groups destroyed.
And finally, chapter six of this research is the general summary and conclusion of the entire study from chapter one to six.
Conclusion
It is crystal clear that crisis have hindered economic and political development and integration, religious crisis has been an obstacle to progress, economic prosperity, peaceful co-existence and all-over socio-economic development of Jos North Local Government because of its destructive tendencies.
No doubt the impact of any conflict of whatever sort can never be positive rather it is negative. Most conflicts end up with negative implications. This may explain why there were negative destructive and damaging effects of the myriad conflicts witnessed in Jos.
Similarly, the study revealed the impact of the ethno-religious crisis in this area which has no doubt crippled activities around it. These activities cut across social, economic, educational and agricultural spheres of the people that live in the area. This impact has been negative because the peace that once existed among the people was shattered as such, people could no longer trust each other and therefore interaction and integration among people of the religions i.e. Christians and Muslims and other ethnic groups were destroyed.
Therefore Plateau State as a whole with diverse ethnic, religious and political groups should learn to embrace a cultural dialogue in managing the endemic disputes that pervades the state, and also dialogue and reconciliation centers should be established at local and state level in the state where matters of religious differences between members of different religions will be discussed and resolved so as to ensure religious harmony, cohesion and peaceful co-existence among the adherents of various religions, particularly between the Christians and Muslims for the purpose of sustainable economic development of the entire state.
REFERENCES
- Adamu M. the Hausa Factor in West African History, Ahmadu Bello University Press, Zaria, 1978.
- Bingel, A.D. Jos: Origins and Growth of the Town, 1900 – 1972, Jos University Press, Jos, 1975.
- Blench, R. Natural Resources in North Central Conflict Nigeria (London: Mandara Publishing, 2004).
- Bulus I. (ed) “Plateau State; the Heritage and Hope (Plateau State Government Print 2001)
- C.G. Ames, the highland chieftaincies (Plateau Province) Gazetteers of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria Vol. iv. Frank Cass, London, 1934.
- Gunn, H.D Peoples of the Plateau Area of Northern Nigeria, International African Institute, London, 1953.
- Isichei, E.ed. Studies in the History of Plateau State, Nigeria. The Macmillan Press, London 1982.
- Sha J.P, the Politicizations of settler, Native identities and Jos Central Nigeria” (Ibadan Spectrum Books Ltd, 2005).
