GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

Observably, most developing countries are ethnically diverse, Ethnic diversity may lead to increased civil dissonance. The National question in Nigeria is probably one of the most complicated in the world with her over 250 ethnic groups and 120 different languages spoken in the country. The colonialist while pretending to carry out a mission of uniting the warring ethnic groups, willfully and systematically separated the various Nigerian people thereby creating a suitable atmosphere for conflict. With the heterogeneous nature of the country, the tendency of the various nationals is towards parochial consciousness at the expense of national consciousness. The ethnic conflict between the peoples of Ikot Akpan Udo and Amazaba is one of such conflicts which started since 1925 and has continued till today with devastating consequences which include loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of community’s members. The conflict is intractable in nature with deep rooted interests and claim by each of the combatants. This paper therefore, adapts a historical and descriptive method as its methodology to examine the fundamental causes of the ethnic conflicts and identifies the possible issues for resolution, between the Ikot Akpan Udo and Amazaba people in Akwa Ibom State. One of the recommendations made in this study was that we should not expect the years of cynical indoctrination of the people of the area to yield easily to a new climate of mutual trust and that it is going to take some time through the minds confused by deceit and a psyche benumbed by propaganda.

KEYWORDS:     Conflicts, Ethnicity, Early History, Crises, 2008 Attack Ikot Akpan Udo and Amazaba People.