TRADITIONAL-STATE DUALISM, INSTITUTIONAL RELEVANCE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY

Abstract

Before the advent of colonialism, traditional rulers and institutions were in control of governance in Nigerian territories. Realizing their importance and relevance, the British colonial masters ruled the country through the traditional institutions with the use of indirect system. Unfortunately, since 1979 till date, the institutions are not given any major role to play in governance dominated by the elected or state institution. However, recent studies have shown that the traditional institution is still relevant in local governance and politics. This paper therefore assesses the level of relevance of the traditional institutions, identify aspects of governance they have significant influence and examine how democratic their performance in governance is. The methodology adopted is the simple purposive random survey of perceptions across the country using Afrobarometer database. The analysis of findings reveals that the traditional institutions are highly trusted by the people and relevant. It also shows that when it comes to community governance, allocation of land and conflict resolution, the traditional leaders have significant influence and as such their performance is democratic because their governance is people centered. It is therefore recommended that there is need for legal inclusion of the traditional institution into governance through constitutional amendment as it was in the Nigerian first republic.