Towards Ethnic Conflict Management in Nigeria: The Adoption of a Multi-party Democracy

Abstract

As a creative socio-political mechanism for managing ethnic conflict in multi-ethnic state of Nigeria, multi-party democratic system offers prospects for the sustainability of the Nigeria polity. Much as challenging as ethnic group is in a pluralistic society so also is its relevance in the building of a conflict free multi-ethnic society. The existentiality of ethnic conflict in Nigeria is not inherently destructive, but a normal aspect of any vibrant multi-ethnic society.  Effective management of ethnic conflict should be seen as in the light of diffusing its potentialities which can erupt as a result of mutual fear of domination and suspicion of which the adoption of multi-party democracy is significant to allay. The adoption of a multi-party democracy in Nigeria no doubt is a political and constitutional strategy for the articulation and management of groups’ interest as well as promoting national integration within the polity.

Key words: Management, Ethnicity, Multi-party, Institution, Democracy, Cleavages, Nigeria