Agebah Emmanuel Mbahon
Department of History
College of Education Katsina Ala
08033404190
Abstract
This article focuses on the conflict between politics and
administration by using Africa generally and Nigeria in particular as
a case study. It therefore embodies the nature, causes and possible
solutions to the face – off between politicians and bureaucrats on the
continent. The aim here is to consider the feasibility of “working out
a system which promotes mutual respect and cooperation between
the political class and the bureaucracy” as advanced by Jewel,
(2008). By relying on the use of extant literature and observation,
the article contends that political – bureaucratic interaction can be
very important in promoting development, as well as hindering it.
The article argues that the bureaucratic structure in Africa is a
colonial heritage which has regrettably failed to live up to
expectations hence the persistent conflict with the political class.
The article blames this conflict on a number of factors which include
corruption, incompetence and undue influence from the politicians.
The article submits that concerted efforts such as ensuring
competence based employment within the civil service and the
prosecution of civil servants for negligence have to be made in order
to entrench mutual respect and cooperation between the political
class and the bureaucrats.
