عنوان

Traditional Rulers and Election Outcomes in Nigeria: A Study of the 2011 and 2015 Governorship Elections in Oyo State

Number

TL57236

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

Traditional Rulers and Election Outcomes in Nigeria: A Study of the 2011 and 2015 Governorship Elections in Oyo State

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Isiaq, Abdulwaheed Atanda

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Ambali, Abdulrauf

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Kwara State University (Nigeria)

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2021

Text of Note

338 p.

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

Kwara State University (Nigeria)

Text preceding or following the note

2021

Text of Note

The roles of traditional rulers in election outcomes are highly fundamental to understanding power configuration between the formal political and informal traditional institutions in Nigeria. However, Studies have not paid much attention to the rationales for traditional rulers' support or endorsement of political candidates. Studies also remain scanty on the subjects' readiness to key into their rulers' orders towards positive or negative electoral outcomes. Previous studies have equally not examined the impact of support or endorsement on candidates' election result. Hence, this study examined the role of traditional rulers in election outcomes in Oyo state, Nigeria, as a point of reference. A mixed research design using exploratory approach was adopted for the study. Multi-stage sampling techniques were adopted in the study. Traditional rulers, voters, and governorship candidates under the period of study were selected with the aids of purposive and convenience sampling methods, while quota sampling and simple random sampling were used to select local governments from the three senatorial districts and political wards respectively. In-depth Interview, Focus Group Discussions and Questionnaire were adopted as research instruments. The study established that support or endorsement given to politicians by traditional rulers is driven by social and historical networks. However, the endorsement or support and encouragement were perceived to be largely driven by partisanship of rulers. The study indicated that politicians and traditional rulers' relationship becomes useful to the end results (receiving public goods, personal benefits and huge votes during elections) when the actors established their relationship in line with home-town histories, traditional titles appropriation and participation in social functions. The study also revealed that subjects' acceptance of the endorsed or supported candidate facilitates voting for the candidate significantly when he contested for the first time, while reduction in electoral performance is possible when previous performance and alternative candidates were considered. Quantitatively, the study revealed that variation of candidates and rulers' expected consequences during the two elections differed. The main thrust of the finding is that in terms of relationship building, on the average, traditional rulers are comfortable with candidates that possessed good governance and leadership qualities, and personality traits voters aligned with. In the context of linkage among the traditional, political and sociological institutions, political institution needs traditional institution for more access to people in sociological institution before good outcomes could be attained. It also emerged that locating social goods in traditional rulers' domains or territories and appointing sons and daughters into political and non-political positions cannot happen easily without cordial relationship with candidates during electioneering campaigns. Traditional rulers and politicians need to initiate and nurture relationships beyond personal interest and benefits. Citizens, who are the primary stakeholders in democratic system of government deserves benefits that would make them enjoy life sustainably. Candidates need to evaluate personality and acceptability of traditional rulers before seeking support or endorsement. Having necessary scenarios that reveal potential outcomes of election would help in knowing the rulers who should be prioritised over than others.

Subject Term

Political science

Isiaq, Abdulwaheed Atanda

Ambali, Abdulrauf

Kwara State University (Nigeria)

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y