Track-Nine Diplomacy And Conflict Management: The Role Of The Media In The 2012 Fuel Subsidy Crisis In Nigeria

The 2012 fuel crisis in Nigeria was one of such public expression of protest that attracted the interest of a lot of audiences both locally and internationally. The media was used in creating awareness about the government decision to remove subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a decision that most citizens had earlier rejected on the ground that it will do more harms than good to the welfare of an average Nigerian. The protest that ensued from the subsidy removal has the tendency to escalate into mass revolt. Furthermore, the media also reported various dimensions of the conflicts both locally and internationally. Worthy of note is the role played by the “New Media” (Social Networks) in mobilizing people and reporting updates on the conflicts. Some of this information was speculations which had the potential to brew conflicts. This work being a qualitative research adopted documentary research means of data collection on which interpretation was made. Findings reveal that the 2012 fuel subsidy removal was not properly timed and communicated hence a massive protest. The new Media (social Media) was used effectively for the first time in Nigeria for massive mobilization against national policy of the Government. During the period of protests there was also gross circulation and broadcasting of propaganda, inflammatory materials, hate-media, and damaging rumors which escalated grievances especially through the 'new media'. It is therefore recommended that Government officials and advisers develop and should also be trained communicative competence in order to understand and discern proper timing in communicating policy formation, planning and implementation. Furthermore, in conflict situations, the Media should help avoid the circulation and broadcasting of propaganda, inflammatory material, hate-media, or damaging rumors which destroy communities by escalating grievances and also help to correct same if created by individual members of the state at any given period. It also recommends that government and other stakeholders should employ constructive and positive use of track-nine diplomacy in post conflict reconciliation processes to promote awareness of critical social issues and bring them into the public arena so they can be addressed in order to avoid a relapse to violence.