Conflicts And Conflict Management In Local Government Council In Rivers State, Nigeria: A Study Of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, 2015-2021
ogele Eziho Promise
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
Keywords: conflict, conflict management, local government, Port Harcourt, staff
Abstract
The study examined the effect of conflicts and conflict management in Rivers State, Nigeria using Port Harcourt City local government council as a case, 2015-2021. Conflicts are not uncommon and are also a part of growth and development. Conflict can arise from diverse parties, amongst individuals, families, institutions, corporate bodies, different levels of government, and communities, among others. Hence, conflict is gaining prominence and has become almost synonymous with the existence of human organizations the world over. This reality is somewhat paradoxical when one considers the enormous amount of energy and resources expended by organizations worldwide to prevent and or resolve conflicts. It is therefore not unusual to expect conflicts in the administration of Port Harcourt City local government council in River State. The study adopted the conflict transformation theory as its theoretical construct. The study adopted a triangulation method of data-gathering techniques. The analysis of primary data produced through a questionnaire was tested with descriptive statistical methods. The content analysis was used in the interpretation of secondary data. The study unraveled that the struggle for political relevance has further opened doors for class struggle, status difference, bad leadership, and conflicting policies, among others leading to conflict in the local government council. The study recommends amongst others that officers and staff should be more involved in the decision-making process in Port Harcourt City local government council to reduce to its lowest minimum the rate of conflict in the council.