STRUCTURAL CONFLICTS AND CONSTITUTIONALISM IN NIGERIA: A PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION

Abstract

One of the most fundamental problems confronting contemporary societies, especially Nigeria concerns how to manage tension that arises when groups compete for scarce resources from degenerating into structural violence. This paper addresses conflict as an intrinsic and inevitable aspect of social change occasioned by the pursuit of incompatible interest and gaols by different groups. This paper gives many examples action to show that structural conflicts are endemic in Nigeria. With this, the paper identifies structural conflicts as posing major challenge to peace and security in Nigeria. It also identifies the potentialities of constitutionalism as a preventive, ameliorative and curative mechanism for addressing emerging threats to peace and security in Nigeria. This paper concludes that constitutional development must involve a series of national dialogues culminating in a people's constitution. We submit that it is compliance with ethos of constitutionalism that put an end to structural conflicts in Nigeria.