Interrogating The Concepts Of Grassroots Politics And Politicians In Nigeria: Realist Perspective

Abstract

Using the concepts or phrases ‘Grassroots Politics’ and ‘Grassroots Politicians’ are very common in Nigeria, This is because, different people use it for different purposes. Understanding the real meaning and usage prompted deeper research. Available literature on Grassroots politics is referring to the rural areas; while Grassroots politicians are associated to politicians that are in, or directly linked with the rural people/populace. Interrogating the concepts under the realist theory brought out a more fundamental meaning of the two phrases/concepts, their usage, as well as adding new concepts, ‘Grass-top politicians’ and Grass-top politics, making a novel study. The research concluded that both the grassroots and grass-top politicians are equally important and must work in synergy for overall development of the polity. It encourages the grassroots to identify and support grassroots politicians at all levels, demand accountability from grass-top and grass-top to provide dividend of democracy and security of lives and property in rural and urban areas of the polity.