The direct rule policy did not succeed in some parts of West Africa because

The direct rule policy refers to the system of colonial administration where the colonial power directly governed the colony without any involvement of local rulers. This policy was not successful in some parts of West Africa because the traditional rulers in those areas had significant powers and were not willing to surrender them to the colonial power. Also, the colonial power did not have enough personnel to govern effectively and efficiently in these areas. Additionally, the local elites were not willing to cooperate with the colonial authorities, and some even resisted the policy, making it difficult for the policy to succeed.