THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE SUSTENANCE OF SEVENTEEN – YEARS OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF IBESIKPO ASUTAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA)
CHAPTER ONE
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. The role of traditional institution has been undergoing change as
Ibesikpo is a town and local government area in AkwaIbom 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 OrukAnam, EtimEkpo,Ukanafon And Ika. 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 EkpeneOkpo, NtakIbesit, a distance of about 8km from Ibesikpo town. Ibesikpo to say the least is the shadow of its former self due to politically motivated neglect by successively government in AkwaIbom State. Ibesikpo before the civil war was the economic hub of the former south eastern Nigeria.
Ibesikpo became the seat of government in 1902 after conquest by war against the British Colonial master at the valley lying between Ediene and Ibesikpo 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 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. Local language is called “aba-ag” and fighting is “anwan” by joining the two words aba-ag and anwan the names aba-ag” and Ikot anwan was given to the newly established entity the seat of government kept growing unit 1957 and 1958 when it gained the status of divisional council headquarter. At the establishment. The area include the present Ukanafon, Oruk-anam, Etim Ekpo and Ika and the present Ibesikpo. All the places mentioned here have been developed to become full fledge Local Government Areas.
At the end of civil war, the South eastern state government was created and Abak become one of the development administrative headquarters and with the local government reforms of 1976, Abak become a full-fledge local government area and has remained so till date.
Population according to 2006 national census it was gathered about 73,578 males and 65,512 females than total of 139,090 people (s). Abak’s rich cultural heritage is reflected through traditional dances such as Ekpe, Ekpo, Idiongtals, etc. though majority were of the Christian faith.
1.3 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 in the world where is a republic of equals. 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.
