An assessement of the role of traditional institution in conflict resolution in billiri lga_pad

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Traditional institutions refers to the indigenous political arrangement
whereby leaders with proven track records are appointed and installed in line with the provision of their native laws and customs .The essence of the institution tis to preserve the custom and traditional of the people and to manage conflicts arising among or between members of the community by’ the instrumentality of laws and customs of the people.
The most important single function of the traditional institutions perhaps is the conflict resolution role. They are expected to guarantee the orderly resolution of conflicts trough the traditional legal system. The traditional ruler with the assistance of his chiefs has the responsibility of maintaining law and order.
The institution therefore symbolizes the traditions, norms and values
of his community. Nigeria is made up of over 250 different ethnic groups
with about as many cultures and related customary laws. The substance of
customary, law therefore varies from ethnic group to ethnic group,
sometimes even from village to village. Another feature of customary law is
that it is very often unwritten. The local government reform of 1976
removed a great deal of the powers of traditional rulers to enforce customary
law. since that time traditional rulers have no formal executive, legislative
and judicial responsibilities at the federal ,state and local government levels.
The handling of high profile court cases by traditional rulers has
virtually disappeared over time. However, the judicial roles of traditional
rulers are still prominent in settling family matters, cases of witchcraft, land
disputes and religious disputes.
Moreover, there is recognition that these traditional institutions also have their weakness on the methods and ways of resolving conflict within
and outside their communities. Thus, it is within this context that this
research assesses the role of traditional institutions in conflict resolution in
Billiri Traditional council of Billiri Local Government.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Traditional institutions in Nigeria apart from their natural role in the
preservation and development of culture and tradition perform the judicial
role of resolving disputes among individuals, families, persons, group and
between communities Traditional rulers in most African countries before
and after the colonial administration play the role of conflict resolution in
their various communities. In any of these cases, traditional rulers neither
collect bribe or collect any reward in exchange. This was so in order to
create peaceful coexistence in their various communities. However, this role
of traditional rulers has deteriorated over the years because of some factors
such as lack of fund, corruption, favouritism, lack of constitutional
recognition and competition nature of the modern court system. Billiri
traditional council of Billiri Local Government presently is not left out this
problem. The role of the council in conflict resolution has deteriorated over
the years because of these factors. Billiri traditional council due to some of
these problem such as the application of traditional method of resolving
conflict, undue favouritism, corruption and the competitive nature of: he
modern court system. In essence, al! of the above mentioned problems to a
great extent have hindered the effective conflict resolutions that will bring’
peaceful co-existence among people of Billiri Local Government.
Corruption in Billiri Traditional Council is one of the major problems
facing the council. This is so because, most a times, the council official
collect bribe and fail to deliver right judgments.
This corruption has made some people prefer to take their cases to the
modern court than to the council. This shows that the council has left its
initial role on conflict resolution and the problem of left unresolved or
unchecked will limit some of the roles of the c9uncil of the people of Billiri
Local Government.
This research project raises the following questions namely:
(i) What are the roles that traditional institution played in resolving conflict?
(ii) What is the constraint or impediment confronting the traditional
institution in resolving conflict?
(iii) What are the levels of traditional institutions interference in mediating
conflict?
(iv) What are the ways or panaceas that will exhort or encourage the
traditional institution in ameliorating conflict in Billiri traditional council?
1.3 Objectives of the study
The major objective of this study is assessing the role of traditional
institutions in conflict resolution in Billiri Traditional Council of Billiri
Local Government. Other specific objectives of this study are:
a. To identity the role of traditional institutions in conflict resolutions.
b. To know the extent of the involvement of traditional institutions in
conflict resolution.
e. To find out the constraint faced by traditional institutions in conflict
resolutions.
d. To suggest ways to improve and encourage traditional institutions in
conflict resolution.
1.4 Hypotheses
This study is guided by the following hypotheses:
Hi: Traditional institution has improved conflict resolution in Billiri local
government.
Ho: Traditional institution has not improved conflict resolution in Billiri
local government.
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study does not intend to cover the role of traditional institution in.
conflict resolution in all traditional institutions but rather focuses on the role
of traditional institutions in conflict resolution in Billiri traditional council in
Billiri local government of Gombe State. However, this research is bedevil
or thwarted by two fundamental hindrances or limitations. These are, the
limited time within which this project is carried out, and the financial
constraint is principal drawback for this research project. .
1.6 Significance of the Study
This work will be of benefit to Billiri traditional council as well as Billiri
Local Government. Its finding will help Billiri Traditional council to know
the significance of their involvement in the issue of conflict resolution in
Billiri Local Government and the society in general.
This research work will help the members of the general public to have
vast knowledge about the role of traditional institutions in embarking in
conflict resolution, as well as the problem they encounter in Billiri local
government.
Hence, the relevance of this study lies in the fact that after completion; it’
will serve as a relevant material for reference to students of public
administration.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Tradition: refers to cultural continuity transmitted I’m the form of social
attitude, beliefs, principles and convention of behaviours derived from past
experience and helping or shape the present.
Institutions: a significant practice, relationship, or organisation in a society
or culture.
Traditional Institutions: refers to the indigenous political arrangement
whereby leaders with proven track records are appointed and installed in line
with the provision of their native law and customs. .
Conflict: the interactive process manifested in incompatibility, disagreement
or dissonance within or between social entities.
Resolution: a formal statement of an opinion agreed on by a committee or a
council especially by means of vote or settlement.
Conflict Resolution: involves the reduction, elimination or termination of
all form and types of conflict.
1.8 Organization of the Study
The work is divided into five chapters. Consisting of Chapter one,
which is the Introduction. It contains the ‘Background to the Study,
Statement of the Problem, Objectives of the Study, Hypotheses, Scope and
Limitations of the Study, Significance of the Study, Definition of Terms, and
Organization of the Study.
Chapter two is Literature Review and Theoretical Framework.
Literature Review which consists of Concept of Traditional Institution,
Concept of Conflict/Conflict Resolution, and Roles of Traditional Institution
in Conflict Resolution, and Theoretical Framework.
While Chapter three is Research Methodology, Method of Data
Collection, population, Sample Size and Sampling Technique, Method of Data Analysis, Historical Background of Billiri traditional institution,
Organisational Structure and the Function of Billiri traditional institution.
Chapter four is Data Presentation and Analysis. Which also include
the Introduction, Data Presentation and Interpretation, Test of Hypotheses,
Discussion of Findings. Finally, Chapter five is Summary, Conclusion and
Recommendations.
 
CHAPTER TWO
LITERETURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction
This chapter focuses on review of the relevant literature and theoretical framework. The items in the chapter include concept of traditional institution, concept of conflict and conflict resolution, role of traditional institutions in conflict resolution and the theoretical framework. :
2.2 Concept of Traditional Institution
Traditional institution refers to the indigenous political arrangement
whereby leaders with proven track records are appointed and installed in line
with the provisions of their native laws and customs. Orji and Olali (2010)
Traditional institution is an organization. Run by a person who by
virtue of his ancestry occupies the throne or stool of an area, has been
appointed to it in accordance with the customs and traditions of the area and
whose throne has been in existence before the advent of the British in
Nigeria The national conference of Traditional milers in Kaduna. (1983)
Traditional institution is an organization or office that evolved or that
was create and was nurtured by the people of the community before the:
advent of colonialism. Adeola (2011).
Pre-colonial Traditional Institution
During the pre-colonial period, traditional rulers provided leadership
various communities that today constitute what we know as Nigeria. The
traditional ruler then is the supreme head of kingdom/emirate/chiefdom/empire or even the caliphate as the case may be.
He was the owner of the land and the father and the protector of his subjects.
The office of the royal father then carried, in the words Ronald Cohen,
“with the aura of the un-touch-ability, remoteness and scarceness”. In that era
the traditional institution was a necessity. Aliyu (2013) before the coming of the European Masters the functions of the traditional rulers where:

    Date: 2026-08-02 00:00:00.000000