Horizontal Inequalities and Ethnic Violence: Evidence from Calabar and Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

This chapter explores fundamental factors underpinning conflict through a comparison of two cities in the Delta region of Nigeria. Unlike most cities in Nigeria, which are made up of an indigenous ethnic group and migrants from other ethnic groups, both Calabar and Warri have three indigenous ethnic groups which compete for dominance. These are the Efik, Efut and Qua in Calabar and the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo in Warri. While all three ethnic groups are only indigenous to Calabar, only the Itsekiri are indigenous to Warri alone. The Ijaw and Urhobo indigenes of Warri constitute a very small proportion of the larger Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups. Relations between the ethnic groups in each city have been characterized by conflict. However, Calabar has managed to avoid the recurrent interethnic violence that has occurred in Warri. This chapter seeks to explain the different outcomes in ethnic relations using the horizontal inequalities framework.