The Struggle for Power and Influence among Traditional Institutions in Warri, Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assesses the incessant struggle for power, relevance and influence among traditional institutions in Warri, Delta State Nigeria. The paper is imperative on the assertion that diversity and scarcity of resources among the major tri-ethnic groups of Itshekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo has produced a high level of mutual suspicion this has inherently led to contestation and struggle for power, relevance and influence among traditional institutions. The study relied on both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were generated through in-depth interview and observation. While the secondary data was sourced through textbooks, journals and articles by eminent scholars on the subject matter. The paper adopted the theory of pluralism owing to the plural character of Warri as well as the pivotal role that ethnic groups have come to occupy in the struggle for power and influence by traditional institutions. The paper avows that there is a significant level of discontent and grievances among the various ethnic groups in Warri and this has consciously conditioned the incessant and endemic struggle for power and influence among the traditional institutions in Warri, Delta State Nigeria. The paper also affirms that while traditional institutions play vital role in ensuring peace in their community, the incessant and endemic struggle for power and influence in Warri has paradoxically turned the proverbial peacemakers (traditional institutions) into the crisis trigger. The paper recommends that there is need for genuine dialogue among the traditional stakeholders of the tri-ethnic group in Warri.