Anonymous Power

This insightful book, Anonymous Power, explores the complexities of political decision-making in Nigeria, highlighting the interplay between formal and informal influences.

This book delves into the intricate structures and processes of political decision-making and governance in Nigeria. Since the country transitioned back to an elected government in 1999, various factors have contributed to the discrepancies between the designed statutory structures and the actual functioning of political decision-making. In essence, there exists a significant gap between the laws in place and the practical realities of governance. Political scientists have often overlooked the connection between these two aspects, tending to view informal influences in political decision-making as mere anomalies or temporary occurrences.

Anonymous Power aims to explore the relationship between the formal and informal dimensions of political decision-making dynamics in Nigeria. The book provides empirical evidence on how governmental structures operate in practice, highlighting the often-overlooked informal influences that shape political outcomes. By investigating these interactions, the book seeks to shed light on the complexities of governance and the factors that affect it.

The central thesis posits that informal elements such as ethno-political patronages, religious sentiments, clientelism, and factionalism significantly interact with formal decision-making structures, ultimately undermining the democratic framework. This analysis includes the roles of various actors and institutions, including voter choices, legislative processes, executive policies, and party dynamics, emphasizing that political parties serve as critical arenas for articulating and aggregating issues that influence decision-making.