Elite perceptions about power-sharing in Nigeria

Abstract

This article examines the perceptions of the elite about the practice of power-sharing in Nigeria. It looks at the range of meanings the elite attribute to power-sharing, their assessment of its effectiveness, and how the practice can be modified. Elite perceptions of power-sharing in Nigeria were investigated through a series of interviews with selected federal legislators. The article observes that the elite interpret power-sharing in institutional and communal terms, although the communal perspective appears more widespread. The study also found that there is a strong feeling among the elite that power-sharing is working. This belief is based on the claim that power-sharing has effectively widened the scope of political representation in Nigeria, eliminated uncertainty and tension in political competition, and inspired the people to easily converge around political institutions and organisations. The study notes that power-sharing is however limited by its tendency to discourage the application of merit in the recruitment of political office holders while over emphasising communal and sectarian differences among Nigerians.