Traditional Authority and Power Sharing in Anambra State, Nigeria: Examining Role Conflict Between Traditional Rulers and Presidents' General

Abstract: The operational relationship in the Anambra state traditional authorities has been a hotbed of contestation, primarily due to controversies for community power sharing and persistent role conflicts between the Traditional rulers and the Presidents-General (PG’s). It is against this backdrop this research examined Traditional Authority and Power sharing in Anambra State: with specific focus on the role conflicts between traditional rulers and presidents-general in Anambra state. Guided by a combination of the Conflict theory and Structural Functionalism. The study relied on a mix method research design, using primary and secondary sources of data: Questionnaire and Key Informant Interview guide. Data collected were analyzed with descriptive method of data analysis using charts, mean and standard deviation. Hypotheses raised were tested with Chi-square test analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The population of the study consist of 3,452 persons, comprising Traditional Rulers, Presidents-General, Town Union Executives, Traditional Cabinets, Officials of Local Government Authority and staff of the office of the Anambra state local government and chieftaincy affairs. The sample size for this study comprised of 358 respondents, drawn from the 179 communities across Anambra state. The findings and results of the study revealed that multiple power structures coexist. That is hierarchical rotational power among villages, life inheritance, and power wielded by the oldest in the community are prevalent. In addition, there is a strong perception that the government influences who wields power in the community, often by recognizing or de-recognizing leaders, as supported by the quantitative results and interviewee responses. Based on these findings, the study recommends that, to enhance legitimacy and consistency in community power sharing, there should be a codification of customary leadership succession practices at the community level, developed collaboratively by traditional councils, town unions, and state authorities. Such codification should respect cultural heritage while establishing clear, community-approved procedures for leadership selection and rotation, thereby reducing disputes and ensuring equitable representation among others.