Oil, Conflict, and the Dynamics of Resource Struggle in the Niger Delta: A Comparison of the Ogoni and Ijaw Movements

Conflict in the Niger Delta has attracted significant local and international concern and reactions. Although several theses have discussed the recurring structural facets of the conflict, such as resource governance, marginalization, and neglect, which serve as the bases for understanding the grievances, a crucial question has remained unanswered: why have the Ogoni and the Ijaw, who have shared common, lived experiences, reacted differently to the same regional problems? Why has one chosen violence and the other, a non-violent contestation? This article argues that the three factors narratives, leadership, and organization have determined the dynamics of the choice between the distinct courses of action taken by each group, and suggests that the Ogoni and the Ijaw have waged distinct wars and been fighting context-specific battles constructed and framed for their individual communities.