THE ROLE OF POWER AND STATUS IN THE EMERGENCE OF POLITICAL CRISIS IN ILORIN EMIRATE, 1878 -1891.

Abstract

Power and status structures determine behaviour and conflict dynamics, and their differences can lead to competition between individuals or assemblies. Power and status are among the most important ingredients that trigger conflict as the play of power and its concentration tends to direct the dimension and intensity of the conflict in most cases by its different categories and sources. Conflict results from struggles by individuals or interest groups and the product of this competition are usually political status and power among other interest. The study explores the influence of power and status on the institution, structure and functionality of the traditional Ilorin Emirate community in the period of 1878-1891. The paper uses primary and secondary sources to investigate the role of power and status in the political crisis in the Ilorin Emirate Traditional Council during the period of the reign of Oba Momo the fifth Emir in the Emirate. The study finds out that power and status were a great feature in the Emir and Baloguns of the Ilorin Emirate crisis during the period. The study concludes that power and status played a significant role in the Ilorin Emirate crises in the period of the study.