Abstract:
Traditional authority predates colonization. The postcolonial difficulties and mutations of traditional authorities or chiefdoms have indeed constituted the subject of vast scholarly interest. The objective of the study was to investigate, the challenges and prospects of empowering the traditional authorities in local development. In order to achieve the objective, two focus group discussions and four key informants’ interview were conducted. This tried to find responses to issues such as the changing roles of chiefs from pre-colonial to postcolonial, constitutional provisions barring chiefs from direct participation in the assembly, challenges and prospects of empowering the chiefs and finally recommendations for policy implementations.
Based on empirical findings that highlight the important role that traditional authorities play in local development, the study submits that traditional authority needs to be radically reformed and not abolished. Some of the reforms needed include opening its funding resources to some scrutiny, accountability to its people, popular participation and public debates in other to be made responsive to the changing forces.
