Egalitarianism, Traditional Authority and Local Governance in Nigeria: A Reflection

Abstract

Local government in a democratic federal state overtly set the tune for individual and group participation in politics and governance at the grassroots level. This means that every institution associated with must re-echo and reinforce the rhythm of egalitarian and collectivism in local governance. While the local government is to promote this values and ensuring accountable to the civil common traditional authority in Nigeria had remained adamant to upholding such value. Thus, given the nature, structure and orientation of traditional authority it is doubtful if it conforms to this democratic rhythm which gives devolved local government its true meaning and value. Despite the diverge there has been calls in some quarters that traditional authority should be incorporated into the local government system and given responsibilities that have executive, legislative and judicial implication over local government. It is against this backdrop that this paper utilizing the documentary and analytical approach argued against such a marriage as it will have constraining implication on egalitarianism and governance at the grassroot level in Nigeria.

Keywords: Egalitarianism, Equality, Traditional Authority, Local Governance, Alienation, Democracy, Discrimination and Ethnicity.