ABSTRACT
The
research work dwelt on the examination of the Role of traditional institution
in the sustenance of democracy with Mbo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom
State as the mean to focus on, the analysis has traditional institution is the
most closet to the people than any other institution of authority coupled with
their social and enormous degree of influence they wielded. To Accomplished
this work a sample of the questionnaire numbering one hundred (100) copies were
randomly distributed. From this study it is concluded that traditional
institution are one of the most important form of authority for mobilization of
citizens in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Cover
Page
Title
page - - - - - - - - - i
Dedication
- - - - - - - - - ii
Certification
- - - - - - - - iii
Acknowledgements - - - - - - - iv
Abstract
- - - - - - - - - v
Table
of contents - - - - - - - - vi
Chapter One
1.1
Introduction - - - - - - - - 1
1.2
Background of the Study - - - - - - 1
1.3 Statement
of the Problems - - - - - 3
1.4 Objectives of the study - - - - - - 5
1.5 Research
Questions - - - - - - 5
1.6 Significance
of the Study (delimitation) - - - 5
1.7 Scope and
limitation of the study - - - - 6
1.8 Definition
of Terms - - - - - - 7
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
- - - - - - - 10
2.2 The
Concept of Traditional Rulers - - - - 10
2.3 Function
of Traditional Institution - - - - 14
2.4 Concept
of Democracy - - - - - - 16
2.5 The role
of traditional institutions in the sustenance of democracy 19
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction - - - - - - - 23
3.2 Area of the study - - - - - - - 23
3.3 Population
of the study - - - - - - 24
3.3 Sample
and Sampling Technique - - - - 24
3.4 Method of
data collection - - - - - 24
3.5 method of
data analysis - - - - - - 24
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - 26
4.2 Data
Presentation - - - - - - - 26
4.5: Data Analysis - - - - - - - 29
4.3 Discussion
of Findings - - - - - - 31
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction - - - - - - - 32
5.2 Summary - - - - - - - 32
5.3 Conclusion - - - - - - 33
5.4 Recommendations - - - - - - - 34
REFERENCES
Appendix/
Appendices
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The role of traditional institution cannot be
overemphasized as its applies to community sustenance since the 1986. In the
said reforms, leadership role where clearly expressed which state that it is
not the intention of government to destroy the organic unity of the traditional
institutions.
The traditional emirate and chiefdom will remain,
although their function will be changed to accord with the present day
circumstance.
Although the warrant chiefs were undone by colonial
rule, traditional rulers have served as important adjunct in the administration
of post-colonial government in both Nigeria and Africa (William F. S miles
2007).
This in effect streamlined the procedure for the
selection, recognition and roles of traditional ruler and therefore forms the
constitutional framework for traditional democracy by a community selection of
an acceptable ruler.
1.1
Background
of the Study
Mbo
is a town and local government area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The local
government area was previously part of Cross River State. It was later
sub-divided into other local government areas such as Eastern Obolo, EtimEkpo, Ukanafon
and Oron. Notable tribes includes the Annang, the major economic activities of
the people of this area before and after the Nigeria civil war was palm produce
exported through river port at Ekpene Okpo, Ntak Ibesit, a distance of about
120km from Mbo town. In Mbo local government area the major economic activities
of the inhabitants are fishing, fuelwood exploitation and processing and
subsistence farming. Mbo is located 140 South
East of Akwa
Ibom State.
Mbo
became the seat of government in 1989 after conquest by war against the British
Colonial master at the valley lying between Ediene and Mbo clans. The outcome
of the conquest was the penetration into the hinder land by the colonial
soldiers and eventual installation of the government valley in the democratic
dispensation within the country develops. It has therefore become necessary
that they refined their role as head of their political within the framework of
developmental effort by the central government and its adjuncts as well as
non-governmental organization (NOGs) (Withelmina. J. Donkoh, 2002 105-114).
Traditional institutions in modern society remain
for a variety of reason, important to the design and implementation of
development project within this area of jurisdiction. Their core function
include the provision of infrastructure to enhanced standard of living within
the community. Sometimes traditional rulers initiate development project and
secure the support of both internal and external development agent for the
execution of these projects. (Withelmina. J. Donkoh, 2002 105-114).
Traditional
ruler work in conjunction with their subject and therefore carry the whole
community along to accomplish development project that will be of benefit to
the entire community. Thus, this study is aimed at finding out the role of
traditional ruler in some selected local government area of Akwa Ibom
Government State. The major Local language in Mbo is Uda, enwang, ebughu,
udesi, effiat. But from 1989 when it gained the status of divisional council
headquarter. Mbo local Government is surrounded by Oron, Okobo, Urue-Offong/Oruko,
and Eastern Obolo.
All these places mentioned here are independent local governments in Akwa Ibom
state.
The Population in Mbo according to 2006 national
census was gathered about 52,351 males and 49,822 females
then total of 102,173 people (s). Mbo rich cultural heritage is reflected
through traditional dances such as The Ekpe Society, which was shared with the
Efiks and the Southern Igbos as well as the Ibibios,
in addition to the unique hospitality of the Mbo people, their arts, rich diet,
Oil and Gas minerals, have been known to attract tourism and commerce to the
area and Akwa Ibom state in general. Etc. Though majority are affected by the
presence of Christian faith.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
The traditional institution is a democracy universal
concept; its practice differs from one place to another with regard to
acquisition and disposition to power and institutional arrangements. Hence, one
can talk of Cross River State Democracy, Abia Democracy, Akwa Ibom State
Democracy and so on it has been pointed out above that the concept of equalitarianism
has more theoretical connotations than practical application. There is nowhere
in the world where traditional ruler have everything equal. This socio-economic
and political inequality is a prominent and permanent feature of democracy
particularly in Nigeria where traditions institutions between those who have
access to power and public fund and those who do not. Since traditional
institution is said to be government of the people, it is therefore generally
assumed that democracy is the most suitable form of government at least as far
as the delivery of Ronald. Political goods is concerned. It is therefore that
the pursuit of the welfare of the generality of the people is the epicenter of
democracy where ever it is practiced, while this may be so in some democracy is
synonymous with holistic development and aggregated growth in some times; it is
the representation of betrayal and in human deprivation in others. Nigeria
probably personifies the latter while some local government aspired to and do
indeed practice democracy for the socio-economic benefit of the generality of
the people or at least as many people as possible; others like Nigeria make
their own brand of democracy government of the few by the few and for the
socio-economic benefit of the few indeed, the most outstanding feature of
Nigeria democracy of mind boggling and unpardonable waste of public funds on
the comfort of officials rather than in human and material resources.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objective of the study is to examine the
role of traditional institution in sustaining democracy. Other objective
include:
To identify problem associated with the role of
traditional institution in the democratic sustenance and the resources.
To suggest ways and means through which traditional
institution can help in the democratic sustenance.
1.4 Research Questions
For the research to be accomplished perfectly and
effectively relevant questions has to be put forth which are as follows:
Ø Does
traditional institution plays a vital role towards sustenance of democracy in
Nigeria?
Ø Does
the role of traditional ruler in mobilization process facilities, political
participation of the citizens and consequently help in sustaining democratic
governance in the country?
Ø Does
the participation of traditional institutions in partisan politics is likely to
affect the development of democracy in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of the Study (Delimitation)
These research is limited to the role of traditional
institution in the substances of democracy in Nigeria with Mbo in Akwa Ibom
State as the basis of evaluation, the research covered the period span from the
first republic (1960s) via unsuccessful military transition to civil rule
programmes down to present, in the same vein; due to limited resources the
research will be restricted within Mbo Local Government domain for data
collection instead of the whole federation. To the various political leaders
who exercise political power at ethnic or sub-ethnic levels in Nigeria.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This research
work will bring to the limelight various indices and factor for effective and
efficient mobilization of traditional institution of the democracy sustenance
and development.
The successful
attainment of democratic role and management of economic and socio-political
problems which make this study of significance as it facilities understanding
of the role of traditional institution towards the sustenance of democracy in
Nigeria.
The study also
is of significance as it raises the level of awareness of the people,
especially of grass root level who need to be sanitized and mobilized as a
means of reversing the prevailing apathy among them.
Finally, the
study wills in addition aids student to the existing stock of knowledge and
equal serves as resources for further studies in the field of democratic
government and politics.
1.7 Limitation
of the study
This research
projects is limited to Mbo Local Government area
as time constraint, resources and access to materials from other local
government of Nigeria were not readily available as at the time these research
project was carried out. For this reason our materials and questionnaire
focuses on Mbo local government and its sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Traditional Rulers
It is important
to avoid the arrow and/or confusing definition of traditional ruler ship.
Traditional ruler is often narrowly defined as traditional ruler only. In
reality, the traditional institution is merely at the apex of entire panoply of
a network of indigenous governing system which includes of council of elders,
titled men, age grade or other similar associations. It is the combination of
these and other institution that make up the totality of the indigenous
political system. The term traditional institution on the other hand, used to
refer personal magnetism to gain a position of influence.
There are three
categories of traditional rulers, the first comprises those whose religion and
honorific titles, namely titles bestowed on them because of their age and
remain a symbol and custodian of culture and tradition. The second group is holders
of title as a result of impact British colonial administration. They may have
some executive functions which are granted by the law that created them. This
group is certainly found in some part of eastern part of the Nigeria as purely
known as warrant chiefs. The third group consists of those with full time
executive traditional titles and function. They are or have has been rulers
which predate the executive functions from tradition that are well noted. In
the dictionary definition, democracy is “government by the people in which
supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directively by them or by
their elected agents under a free electoral system”.
According to
Appadoria (1975) “democracy is a system under which power periodically elected
by themselves”. In addition, democracy is a system of government where the
leaders are elected by majority of the population when they are consulted in
decision making, with the interest of the minority protected. Democracy is a
system of government by the whole population or all the eligible member of a
state, typically through elected representatives.
Institution
The term "institution" commonly applies to
both informal institutions such as customs, or behavior patterns important to a
society,
and to particular formal institutions created by entities such as the government
and public services. Primary or meta-institutions are institutions such as the family
that are broad enough to encompass other institutions.
Democracy
Democratic
Leadership, also known as
Participative Leadership, is
where individuals who would typically be considered unequal by hierarchal
standards have shared power in making decisions. Democratic leaders emphasize collaboration and the free-flow of
ideas.
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