PATHWAYS TO PEACE: EXAMINING YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND ELECTORAL PERCEPTIONS AMID POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN AKWA IBOM STATE

A survey to evaluate conflict management strategies and youth empowerment as tools for resolving political violence in the Ukanafun Local Government Area was conducted. The population comprises all the eligible voters in the Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A stratified random sampling technique was applied to select the participants from the eleven (11) political wards in Ukanafun Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Five hundred and fifty (550) copies of the questionnaire were distributed, of which four hundred and sixty (460) were well-filled and returned for analysis. Data were analysed using frequency counts and simple percentages. It submits that conflict management leads to dialogue, while youth empowerment represents a credible alternative path toward resolving political violence, which will nurture or provide peace, equity, and development. The study recommends that youth empowerment should be incorporated into the government budgets at different levels to empower them to take an active part in the scheme of things that are meaningful to the environment.