Local Government and the Sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/nnssh.v4i3.125Keywords:
DEMOCRACY, LOCAL, STATE, FEDERALISM, GRASS-ROOTS, CONSTITUTIONAbstract
Democracy is supposedly the best system of government of all the systems of government in the history of mankind. Where it is fully in practice, the system promotes human development, dignity of man, freedom and liberty, equality and justice, among others. Nigeria is one of the countries that lay claims to the practice of democracy. However, the system as it is practiced in the country then and now, has not really lived up to the expectations of the general populace. This paper argued that democracy failed in Nigeria because, an essential tier of government, the Local Government, has been rendered ineffective not only by the other tiers of government, that is, federal and state governments, but also, by the constitutions of Nigeria. It x-rayed the evolution of Local Government in Nigeria, its importance and functions, showed the factors that rendered it ineffective, and concluded by way of suggestions on how the tier of government be run efficiently so as to dampen and sustain democracy in the country. It applied secondary method of data collection and it is analysed qualitatively.
References
Abe, T. and Omotoso, F. (2015): “Local Government/ Governance System in Nigeria” in Ajayi, R. and Fashagba, Y. (eds) Understanding Government and Politics in Nigeria, Omu-Aran, Landmark University Press.
Abdulhamid, O. and Chima, P. (2015): “Local government administration in Nigeria: the search for relevance” Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, [http;//dx.doi.org/10.5130/cjlg. voi18.4850]
Ahmed A. A. (2012): “Local Government Autonomy and its Effectiveness in Nigeria” in The Journal of African & Asian Local Government Studies, vol.1, No2
Appadorai, A. (1975): The Substance of Politics, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Anyanele, J. U. (2003): Comprehensive Government, Lagos, Johnson Publishers.
Enemuo, F. C. (2008): “Decentralisation and Local Government: models. Principles and purpose” in Anifowose, R. and Enemuo F. (eds) Elements of Politics, Lagos, Sam Iroanusi Publishers.
Goddey, W. (2013): “The Politics of Local Government Reforms and Democratic Governance in Nigerian Local Government” in Developing Country Studies, Vol.3, No1
Igbuazor, O. (2009): “Local Government Reform and Constitutional Review in Nigeria” [http;//www.gamji.com/NEWS2676.htm]
Iwilade, A. (2012): “Lagos LCDAs: Constitutional Federalism on Trail” The Punch Newspaper, 20th February edition.
Nwankwo, B.C. (2002): Authority in Government, Onitsha, Abbot Books Limited.
Nwosu, A (1989) Intergovernmental Relations in Nigeria Workshop, Nsukka, Parges
Onyedikachi, E. M. (2016): “A Critique of 1976 Local Government Reforms: Its History, Structure And Impact After Forty Years In operation In Nigeria” in Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 21, Issue 9, Ver. 7
Shively, P.W. (2001): Power & Choice: An introduction to Political Science, London, McGraw-Hill.
Ugwu, C. S. (2000): Issues in Local Government and Urban Administration in Nigeria, Enugu, Echrisi Publishers.
Wheare, K. C. (1963): Federal Government, 4th edition, London, Oxford University Press.
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.
The Dansuki Committee Reports, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.
The 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.
The 1976 Guidelines for Local Government Reforms, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.
United Nations (1959). Public Administration: Aspect of Community Development, New York.
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
