ABSTRACT
This research focuses on the political instability and economic development in Nigeria with particular reference to Jos North Local Government Area, 2001-2015. The research aims at examining the impact of political instability on the socio-economic development of Jos North LGA. The main objectives of the study are (1) to trace the factors responsible for economic backwardness in the State (2) to establish if there is negative setbacks to the affected persons living in the area of study (3) to bring out the crises and device means to resolve them (4) to identify and analyze the mechanism that can be used to handle future conflicts in the area. In so doing, the study uses historical sources; primary and secondary using a multi-method/interdisciplinary approach of data collection. The study found out that the result of the conflict in Plateau State had a long historical antecedent. The study also reveals that political instability that engulfed the area of study between 2001 to 2015 crises in the State posed some challenges to sustainable development in Nigeria. The study concludes that government should implement the recommendations of the various panels to promote peace, inclusiveness, equity and justice for the well-being of the people of the state.
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction
The focus of this study is an attempt to reconstruct the political instability and economic development in Nigeria between the years 2001 to 2015 with Jos North Local Government as a case study. This study will delve into the period that preceded our period of study in order for us to see clearly the picture of the society prior to our period which will make it easy for us to see the changes that took place and examine, analyze and interpret them one after the other. The selection of Jos North Local Government area as a case study is not for any other reason rather than the homogeneity of its population and the role this population played in the economic development of the area, Plateau and Nigeria at large.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
The researcher seeks to outline how political instability serves as impending acts that obstruct the plans of the State and Local Government towards achieving economic development. Thus, in order to actualize the foregoing, the under listed research questions are raised for investigation and empirical validation.
- Are the 2001 crises in Jos North responsible for subsequent crisis that engulfed the state from 2001 – 2015?
- Did the crisis from 2001 – 2015 in Jos North undermine the economic development of the state?
- Is there any negative setback to the affected persons living in the state with particular reference to Jos North Local Government?
- In what ways can the political crisis be resolved?
- How has this crisis affected the religious cohabitation on the Plateau and are there possible ways of enhancing social cohabitation between the conflicting groups?
1.3 Aim and 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.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The significance of the study is to inspect the cause of the conflict of Jos, which the research will help the government to build the right framework to maintain sustainable peace in Jos North and Plateau at large.
The research will also help the Nigerian elites and the government to build a part way toward development i.e. resolve problems that deals with security, ethnic crisis and political or religious crisis in Jos North Local Government.
The research will be of great importance to students and lecturers in practice of how to carry out further research in the area.
And lastly, the research will help the government solve some problems that might be encountered in terms of development in Nigeria.
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study
Although the problem of political instability is one that is universally acknowledge. The scope of this particular work would be limited to Jos North of Plateau State in Nigeria and the time frame of study should be restricted to 2001 – 2015, the year of the occurrence of the major conflict in Jos city, and the study terminated in 2015 because of political changes that occurred not only in the area but also in the whole country of Nigeria.
To justify the 2015, the blame of the violence largely went to People Democratic Party (P.D.P) Government which with the 2015 general election of People Democratic Party (P.D.P) lost to All Progressive Congress (A.P.C) and made the people of the metropolis to see the change as lasting solution to their problems, especially the Hausa who feel that they were marginalized by the previous government. This argument gained a ground because this was the first time a Hausa person is appointed into an important position in Plateau State Government since 1999, Hon. Dayyabu Garga as commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
1.6 Research Methodology
It is important to note that in a historical research a lot of materials are to be used. In this research, two main sources will be used; primary and secondary sources for historical reconstruction. The first category of sources to be used in this research included oral interview i.e. relevant information will be acquired by interviewing many personalities, published and unpublished materials will also be used at the course of this research this included different academic projects, journals, files, newspapers, article, pamphlets and also different materials found relevance within our area of study.
1.7 Justification for the Study
Scholars have written extensively on the history of crisis in Plateau State as well as Jos metropolis. However, much is not written on the Jos North Local Government Area. This research is an attempt to reconstruct the history of crisis in Jos North Local Government area. This is in order for us to see how the crisis affected the socio-political economic as well as demographic setting of the people of the area. The research will also come out with some recommendation in order to avoid future occurrence.
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