4.3 Trajectories of Change: Contextualizing Local Government Creation in Nigeria
Abstract
Reforming local governance in Nigeria has always brought to the foreground various underlying issues that need to be properly contextualized. More so, attempts to further decentralize, or create as it were, local governments in a fragile federation like Nigeria has always generated its own contestations, if not strident conflict. Over the years, creation of local governments whether in a military or civilian dispensation has had its own measure of impasse, but more so in a civilian set up that assumedly should engender a democratic platform for smooth creation exercise. This paper traces historically the twists and turns of local government creation since 1976. By contextualizing the different arguments and perspectives, the paper identifies, among others, constitutional debacle, conflictual intergovernmental relations and a mixture of poor observance of centralization and decentralization practices as factors embedded in the imbroglio, while uncontrolled partisan political interest is also a common denominator. The paper, within the context of the identified issues, asserts that an all-inclusive debate among relevant stakeholders, devoid of political partisanship, would be required to leverage and smooth the rough edges of agitation, put issues in proper social and political perspective, and thereby engender a development-oriented local government system in Nigeria.
4.3 Trajectories of Change: Contextualizing Local Government Creation in Nigeria
1920 Sangren Hall
Reforming local governance in Nigeria has always brought to the foreground various underlying issues that need to be properly contextualized. More so, attempts to further decentralize, or create as it were, local governments in a fragile federation like Nigeria has always generated its own contestations, if not strident conflict. Over the years, creation of local governments whether in a military or civilian dispensation has had its own measure of impasse, but more so in a civilian set up that assumedly should engender a democratic platform for smooth creation exercise. This paper traces historically the twists and turns of local government creation since 1976. By contextualizing the different arguments and perspectives, the paper identifies, among others, constitutional debacle, conflictual intergovernmental relations and a mixture of poor observance of centralization and decentralization practices as factors embedded in the imbroglio, while uncontrolled partisan political interest is also a common denominator. The paper, within the context of the identified issues, asserts that an all-inclusive debate among relevant stakeholders, devoid of political partisanship, would be required to leverage and smooth the rough edges of agitation, put issues in proper social and political perspective, and thereby engender a development-oriented local government system in Nigeria.