The Influence of Power Distance in Shaping the Responses of Elected Officials: A Nigerian Case Study

June 19, 2026

The Influence of Power Distance in Shaping the Responses of Elected Officials: A Nigerian Case Study

Philip Edobor Igbinijesu | 2026

Abstract

This study emanated from a desire to understand the intriguing disconnect and seeming lack of empathy from elected officials to citizens that widely permeates Nigerian society at practically all levels of governance. The study investigated the role of power distance as a cultural influence in shaping the responses of elected officials in Nigeria to the needs and yearnings of the people they are elected to serve. The study sought to answer the following questions: How does the power distance culture affect elected officials in discharging their responsibilities? How can the electorate limit the impact of power distance on their elected officials? What are the mitigating factors to the effects of power distance on elected officials? The study used a qualitative case study design to investigate whether the responses of elected officials to their electorate are affected by the cultural influence of power distance. The participants in this study are an elected chairman of a local government area, three employees of a primary health care center whom the elected official represents, and two independent shop owners in a local market under the elected official’s control. Through in-depth interviews and subsequent in vivo coding, the study found emerging themes that provide insight into how the official’s empathy and connection to the people are affected by power distance.

Keywords: Elected officials, Empathy, Leadership, Nigeria, Power distance

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