ABSTRACT: Traditional rulers in Nigeria occupy a paradoxical position in the country’s democratic order: constitutionally excluded from partisan politics, yet socially and culturally positioned as some of the most influential actors in the political life of their communities. Anchored on social capital theory, this article examines the extent of traditional rulers’ involvement in partisan politics and the impact of that involvement in the political process and social structure of Daura Emirate, Katsina State,of Nigeria, between 2015 and 2023. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive design, drawing on key informant interviews, focus group discussions and documentary sources involving traditional title holders, party youth leaders, former legislators and local government officials. Data were analysed thematically. Findings show that traditional rulers in Daura Emirate engage in a graduated spectrum of political conduct, ranging from ceremonial blessings and symbolic gestures to more calculated forms of endorsement conducted through cultural and religious platforms, and that the conferment of traditional titles functions as a subtle instrument of political signalling. The study further finds that traditional rulers exert a dual-edged impact on partisan politics: they serve as advisers, mediators and mobilisers who legitimise governance and reduce electoral tension, yet their entanglement with political patronage erodes the neutrality that legitimises their office, generates distrust, and exposes the institution to co-optation by political elites. The article argues that unless traditional institutions are afforded clear statutory boundaries and independent sources of funding, their political engagement will continue to oscillate between constructive mediation and corrosive partisanship. The article contributes a grounded, sub-national account of how precolonial authority structures are renegotiated within Nigeria’s competitive democracy and recommends legal and institutional reforms to safeguard the neutrality of traditional rulers.
Keywords: Traditional rulers, partisan politics, traditional institutions, Daura Emirate, social capital, Nigeria