POLITICS AND TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Traditional rulers in Nigeria some observers beheved are part of our historical past, present struggle and future course of action. The on-going transition to Civil rule in the country has however call to quesion the examination of the entire fabric of the nation's body-politic. What has been the historic role of traditional rulers in Nigeria? What should be their role under the forthcoming political experiment? Should traditional rulers be insulated from partisan politics? Or should they be accorded specific roles to play in the nation's political process? What are the socio-political implications of any of the above positions particularly image of the traditional rulers and to the country in general? Answers to these puzzles constitute the body of this work. The rest our conclusion.