Sources of Information for Inheritance Conflict Resolution by Traditional Rulers in Daura Emirate Council of Katsina State, Nigeria

The study investigated how traditional rulers source and access information to resolve inheritance conflicts in Daura Emirate of Katsina State, Nigeria. The study specifically identified the knowledge and experience of traditional rulers in Daura Emirate about inheritance, source of information consulted by traditional rulers, and challenges encountered when accessing information in resolving inheritance conflicts. The study employed qualitative method using case study approach, from social constructionism perspective and information interchange theory as theoretical framework. The population of the study comprised all the traditional rulers appointed by Daura Emirate, of Katsina State, with a sample size of fifteen (15) participants’ selected using non-probability sampling techniques (purposive sampling). The study further used analytical inductive process to identify 348 narratives explaining how traditional rulers in Daura Emirate sources and access information to resolve inheritance conflict. The narratives collapsed into six (6) emergent categories to explain, traditional rulers’ experiences about inheritance, and how they source and access information for inheritance conflict resolutions. Findings indicated that traditional rulers in Daura Emirate of Katsina State believed that: inheritance is divine and are shared to the heirs; Source of information the traditional rulers consult to aid in sharing of inheritance are from: textual references and non-textual references; discontent by the heirs, ignorance and holding information with only little exception were the challenges experienced by the traditional rulers in Daura Emirate Council. The study recommend that traditional rulers should be more aware of information related to inheritance as stipulated in the Holy Qur'an and Hadith. This can be done through workshop, symposium and seminar organized by the Emirate council.