Ethnicity and Prebendal Politics: Implications for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is a heterogeneous society comprising diverse ethnic, linguistic andcultural groups. Contact with the colonialists suddenly changed the peaceful coexistenceof the groups and threw up ethnic loyalty and ethnocentrism. The fearof domination by some ethnic groups heightened the struggle for scarceresources and quest for control of power. The competition for power andresources which gullible politicians and public office holders believe are easilygotten from the state culminated in prebendalism. The paper examines theimplications of the two variables of ethnicity and prebendal politics ondemocratic consolidation in Nigeria and recommends good governance as a wayof addressing their negative effects. This study is hinged on the Tallcot Parsons’pattern variables as theoretical framework of analysis.