The Lagos Model and the Politics of Competing Conceptions of Good Governance in Oyo State
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The London School of Economics and Political Science The Lagos Model and the Politics of Competing Conceptions of Good Governance in Oyo State, Nigeria 2011-2015 Portia Roelofs A thesis submitted to the Department of International Development of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, November 2016. 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 97,935 words. 2 Abstract In the context of international agendas to transform African States from a state of corruption to good governance, Oyo State’s transformation in 2011 provides an apparent fairy tale case study. For eight years, the state was synonymous with violence and ‘godfatherism’, but Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s election in 2011 brought the promise of transformation, in line with the Lagos Model, based on the highly celebrated example of nearby Lagos State. This thesis draws on six months of in-depth qualitative fieldwork in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, to show how the Lagos Model in Oyo State leveraged international conceptions of good governance to pursue a political strategy of autonomy from central government, whilst building on long-held progressive political ideas in Yorubaland. However, the Lagos Model faced competition from populist opposition, who drew on the failings of the Lagos Model to meet popular conceptions of good governance. Key themes in popular conceptions of good governance are: progress, legitimate leadership and economic benefits. This thesis analyses the tensions within the Lagos Model’s response to these themes and uses empirical material to reveal how these tensions play out in practice. The ways in which Ajimobi was required to respond to numerous competing conceptions of good governance complicates the initial theoretical framing of a binary between corruption and good governance. 3 This thesis is dedicated to the memory of Professor WS Richards who passed away on 11th November 2016. Go well, Prof. 4 Acknowledgements I am grateful to the Economic and Social Research Council for funding this project since 2012 as part of a Studentship, funding an Overseas Institutional Visit to the University of Ibadan in 2013, and Overseas Fieldwork Funding. I also appreciate the funding from the LSE to allow me to write up this research. My first thanks must go to Dr Kate Meagher who took me on as a diamond in the rough, and stood by me when my project remained a little rougher than desired. I will be satisfied if my work achieves even a fraction of her infamous precision and clarity. Next, my eternal thanks and admiration go to my research assistants in Ibadan; Joseph Ayodokun, Olubukola Olayiwola and ‘Gbenga’. All three were tireless, patient and insightful. Thanks must also go to Adediran for assistance with transcription. I am grateful to all my research participants and informants who made this work possible. At the Department of Political Science, UI, I must show my profound appreciation for Dr David Enweremadu who helped get the project started, and Professor Yagboyaju who is always ‘on point’. Appreciation must go to the all the other academic staff at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ibadan. I must also thank Wale Adebanwi and Ebenezer Obadare for inviting me to present in Lagos in July 2013; I’m sure they will see the significance of that conference. Thanks to the staff of IFRA-Ibadan for visa assistance, accommodation and fellowship: particularly Dr Gerard Chouin, Manuel Reinert, Martin Mbella, Dr Xavier Moyet and family, Moses Ishola, and Rachel and Sola in the library. Thanks the IFRA Fellows, especially Martins Oladipo, who provided an enthusiastic and questioning audience for an early presentation of this thesis. Dr. Elodie Apard and Heloise Lucattioni provided hospitality, wisdom and laughter throughout my stay in 2015. Thanks must go to Mr Kenneth, Ann and Mr Oye in Ibadan and Alex in Lagos who enriched my visits so much, and without whom I would have been afloat in Nigeria. Thanks to Adebola Adebu and family, who proved that you should trust people you meet in motor parks, and Yisa, who has a lot to answer for. I was lucky to spend my time in Nigeria with researchers who were generous, insightful and good-humoured: Susan Rosenfeld, Rouven Kunstmann, Brian Larkin, Leslie James, Gernot Klantschnig, Sara Katz, Philip Olayoku, Yomi and Katharina Oke. Dr Katherine Rhine and Dr Stacey Vanderhurst were invaluable mentors and friends from the early days of this project. 5 My thanks to Alhaji Sule Buba, who has contributed much from afar. At King’s College London, where I completed the first two years of my PhD, thanks must go to Dr Adrian Blau, who responded to my arrival at King’s with enthusiasm and my departure with grace; Dr Humeira Iqtidar who has been an ongoing source of intellectual inspiration and kindly read a draft chapter even after I’d flown the nest. At Oxford, Dr Olly Owen and Gavin Williams have been generous with their time and ideas. I am grateful to the organisers of the Nigerian Research Days 2013-2016. At LSE I am indebted to Prof. James Putzel, Prof. Cathy Boone (who graciously came on as an additional adviser at a late stage), Dr. Philippa Mladovsky (who read a chapter), and Dr. Pritish Behuria and Dr. Laura Mann for their positivity and advice. Fellow LSE PhDs past and present provided encouragement and inspiration. Special thanks must go to Liz, Max, Kara, and Ben for comments on drafts and last minute proofreading, and Sheila and Regina for sharing the wisdom of experience. Dr Dr Georgina Pearson went above and beyond the call of duty. Susan Hoult, Rose Harris and Peter Campbell have worked magic throughout. I am thankful for Eunice, Virginia and Reem from the Writing Group, for feedback on chapters and transnational support. I owe much to Rachel Cummings, Lewis Goodall, Michael O’Neill, Emily Nott, James Stafford, Eleanor Thackeray, Letty Thomas, Henry Tugendhadt and Kat Wall for help along the way. Thanks to Friedrich, Martina and Shula who supplied nourishment, provisions and support beyond duty or expectation, and Manuela and Cyril who offered liberal servings of real politik. Thanks to my sister, Aurora, and brothers, Jacob and Luke, and to my parents Ann and Andrew. Infinite thanks to Jan Leonhardt, who answers whenever I call and ‘picks it himself’. 6 Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 5 Contents ................................................................................................................................... 7 List of Figures .................................................................................................................... 12 List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... 13 Maps of Study Area............................................................................................................ 15 Map 1: Oyo State in Nigeria .......................................................................................... 15 Map 2: Oyo State ........................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 1 - Introduction: Oyo State’s Transformation and the Standard Story of Corruption to Good Governance in Nigeria ............................................................................................. 16 1. Nigeria: From Corruption to ‘Good Governance’ ..................................................... 16 2. Oyo State: The Fairy Tale Transformation ................................................................. 18 3. Aims of the Thesis: Political Values in the Study of African Politics ........................ 20 4. Research Question ..................................................................................................... 22 Chapter Overview: ......................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 2 - Governance from Above and Below ................................................................... 26 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 26 1. The Good Governance Debate ................................................................................... 28 2. Debates about Patrimonial Governance ..................................................................... 38 Developmental Patrimonialism ...................................................................................... 39 3. Bottom-Up Governance ............................................................................................. 44 4. Grassroots Evaluations of Good Governance ............................................................ 50 Transparency .................................................................................................................