TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NORTHERN TARABA: A LITERATURE-BASED EXAMINATION OF INDIGENOUS PEACEBUILDING MECHANISMS

Abstract

This paper examines the role of traditional rulers in conflict resolution within the Taraba North Senatorial District of Taraba State, Nigeria, through a literature-based analytical approach. Drawing from existing conceptual, theoretical, and empirical studies, the paper situates traditional rulers as indispensable agents in grassroots peacebuilding and governance. Anchored on Conflict Transformation Theory, the study conceptualizes conflict as an opportunity for relational and structural renewal rather than mere dispute settlement. The review reveals that traditional rulers play multifaceted roles in mediating conflicts, facilitating dialogue, promoting reconciliation, and preserving communal harmony. Empirical evidence from recent Nigerian and African studies underscores that their legitimacy, moral authority, and cultural embeddedness make them more effective in resolving disputes than formal judicial mechanisms in many rural settings. However, the literature also identifies persistent challenges, including political interference, lack of constitutional recognition, generational shifts in leadership, and limited inclusion of women and youth in peace processes. The paper concludes that empowering traditional rulers through legal recognition, capacity-building, and institutional integration would enhance their transformative role in sustaining peace and social cohesion in Taraba North. The findings contribute to deepening theoretical understanding and policy discourse on the intersection between indigenous governance systems and contemporary conflict transformation in Nigeria.