Cultural Affinity and Cooperation of Internal Borderline Communities of Nigeria’s Bayelsa and Delta States

Abstract

Conflicts amongst internal border communities in Nigeria has been an unending challenge. This paper examined the borderlands of Bayelsa and Delta states to uncover what brought about the seemingly peaceful relations since their separation into two states. The sample size was 231 respondents of five borderline LGAs of Sagbama, Ekeremor, Patani, Bomadi and Burutu using interview schedule. The people were collectively known as western Ijaws in then Midwest and later Bendel states. State creation and boundary adjustment exercises transferred Sagbama and Ekeremor areas to present Bayelsa. The people speak same language, practice same or similar culture and occupations and have remained peaceful amongst themselves without government initiative. Common historical heritage, culture and occupations are the factors responsible for the peaceful relations. The people freely access each state without discrimination and participate actively in the socio-economic and political activities of both states. Bayelsa State has appointed a good number of Delta born Ijaws into positions of trust, and some personalities of Delta Ijaw not only collectively fought for the creation of the state but have since settled in it.

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