OHAZURUME - Unizik Journal of Culture and Civilization

The historical truism that rivers unite and mountings divide appears applicable in South South Nigeria made up of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states. The region is known as Nigeria’s source of oil wealth, especially Ogoni and Ijaw areas. The abundance of water resources are widely perceived as the economic force that drives national development. Nevertheless, water resource wealth has not translated to economic wellbeing for most inhabitants of these states. Instead, the region suffers from environmental pollution as a result of oil spills, high poverty rates, youth unemployment, and extensive inequality between the local populace and employees of oil companies. These issues are compounded by constant restiveness and conflict, violence and political tensions in the region since 1990s. Particularly, ethnic minority groups have frequently clashed in competition for oil wealth and creating political tensions against perceived exploiters and destroyers of their water resources. Besides, the dynamics of intergroup relations in the area is affected by a lot of factors emanating from the environmental concerns, socio political and economic developments in the area. This paper argues that the violent conflicts arising from these have resulted to high levels of crime, disturbances and aggression, and have impacted on the nature of relations among these states and their neighbours. The paper posits that activities of militants in the region seem to have united the region more in protecting their commonwealth against perceived exploiters and enemies of their natural water resources rather than divide the people. Applying relevant intergroup conflict theory, the conflict-supporting mindset (CSM) the work explored the historical narrative and analysis while employing the qualitative methodology; data are derived from primary, secondary and tertiary sources and presented chronologically.

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