THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN KOGI STATE

THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN KOGI STATE

ABSTRACT

This research work is centred on ‘’The Role of Local Government in Development of Democracy’’ with emphasis on Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State. The major objective of the work is to look at the level of development in Ijumu Local Government, primary and secondary sources of data were used while simple percentage method was used in analyzing the data. The findings revealed that majority of people who involved in democratic process in Nigeria has been ground one way or the order form local level. At the end of the research, the researcher recommended that: local government in Nigeria should be made to be more financially stable and independent.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible are meant to participate equally either directly or through elected representatives, indirectly in the proposal development and establishment of the laws by which their society is run.

The term ‘’Democracy’’ originates from Greek (Demokratia) ‘’Rule of the people. Kari Popper defined democracy in contrast to dictatorship, thus focusing on opportunities for the people to control their leaders and to quest them without the need for a revolution.

Several various of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms both of which concern how the whole body of all eligible citizens executes its will. One form of democracy is direct democracy in which all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the political decision making.

In most modern democracies, the whole body of eligible citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representative. This is called a representative democracy or democratic republic.

For George Norvack (1971), democracy required submission of the minority to the mandate of the majority expressed through representative bodies, some of the ingredients of democracy will definitely include political equality, popular sovereignty, majority rule, periodic renewal of mandate and positive recall. Other formal attributes are the recognition of freedom of movement, freedom to hold ideas and religious belief, freedom of association, freedom to vote and be voted for.

However, the most essential attribute of democracy is that, such ideology is embracing and encourage all citizens to participate in government of the statement.

The local government system has been a major feature of Nigeria government and politics since colonial rule over the years, there have been changes in name structure and composition, while the system was operated differently al over the country (Agagu, 2004). It was on this premise that the rising tide of progress, growth and development experience in the local government based. The 1976 local government reform carried out the military administration of General Obasanjo, brought about

uniformity in the administrative structure of the system. The reform introduced a multi-purpose, single tier local government for the whole country (Ajayi 2000).

Unfortunately, the much needed development has continued to elude the rural communities across the nation.

It has been rural poverty, rather than rural development. However, the prevalence and pervasiveness of poverty and the under development of the grassroot level is still connected with the high level of corruption and absence of democratic ethos in the local government system.

In view of the above therefore, examine the essence of local government system to rural communities, the virtues and vices of democracy in the local government.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The effectiveness of democracy and local government are meant to bring about grassrrot development, but are still hampered by some constraints which do not allow the manifestation of the purpose of their establishment. This include poor representation, election malpractices, corruption and mis management of funds, Unskilled workers, shortage of personnel among others.

This study is focused on the constraints facing the proper democratic functioning of the establishment of local government to attract the lives of people at the grass root level. Proper representation, equitable distribution of wealth among citizens, social and economic development etc. which form part of the hall mark of adopting democracy are not realized. Also, grassroot development, provision of social service in the local government are being affected.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Ijumu local government was created with a view of bringing development to the grasroot and therefore enhance rural transformation at the grassroot or political awareness, social education, cultural and economic development to those living within the geographical location.

Therefore, the above description leads to the objectives of the study which are listed below:

1. To look into the level at which democracy has brought development in Ijumu local government
2. To look at the level of development in Ijumu local government
3. To look into the militating factors against the development of Ijumu local government
4. To highlight the problems of political participation in developing democracy through local government in Ijumu local government
5. To offer a pragmatic solution to the problems of development in Ijumu local government.

1.4  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will help a lot of people to understand the importance of democracy and local government as a role of democracy development at the grassroot level. It will also form part of the data bank in this area for future research work and when ever is successfully completed.

1.5  SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The research work is particularly concerned with the role of local government in the development of democracy in Nigeria. It covers the entire participation of Ijumu local government in democracy development at the grass root.

Equally, most of the reference were selected from the year (1991 to 2014). This is to enable the researchers have up to date frame work of the topic treated.

The research work has however faced the problems of inadequate research data in these oral interview (respondents were afraid of the likely implication of their minds as much as they should.

Also, apart from the limited time of the research and the large scope of the research which covers the entire Ijumu local government, the amount voted was exhausted and the researcher had to supplement to enhance the research work to be complete.

I therefore accept without hesitation all errors whether typographical or otherwise as no one is infallible.

1.6  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

As the means of carrying out the research, the role of local government in the development of democracy in Kogi State, Ijumu local government.

These research questions will serve as guide to the researcher in the course of this project work.

1. What are the benefit in participating in political activities at the grassroot level?
2. Does democracy as the system of government promote political participation at the grassroot level.
3. Does democracy brings about political equality among the poor masses?
4. What are the planning and arrangement to involve in participating in the development of democracy at the grassroot level?
5. Does local government has any role of democracy development at the grass root in Kogi State?

1.7  ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

The organization of the research work is based on the table of contents.

Chapter one deals with introduction/background of the study, statement of the problems, objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitations of the study, research questions, organization of the work and definition of terms.

Chapter two is on literature review, introduction, history, growth and development of local government in Nigeria, concept of local government, concept of grass root democracy, role of local government in democracy development, objectives of local government in democracy development and democratic development in Ijumu local government.

Chapter three deals with the population of the study, sample size, sources of data collection, method of data collection and method of data analysis.

Chapter four deals with data presentation and analysis.

Chapter five deals with summary, conclusion and recommendations.

1.8  DEFINITION OF TERMS

In order to fully grasp the subject matters of this project, certain key terms which would be regularly used need to be defined.

DEMOCRACY: Democracy is ‘’government by leaders whose authority is based on a limited mandate from a universal electorate that selects among genuine alternatives and has some rights to political participation and opposition. (Danliger 1998, 159).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Local government is a form of public administration which in a majority of contexts, exist as the lowest tier of administration within a given state. The term is used to contrast with offices at state leve, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or (where appropriate) federal government and also to super national government which deals with governing institutions between states. Local government generally act within powers delegated to them by legislation or directives of the higher level of government.

In federal, state, local government generally comprises the third tier of government, were as in unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of the government, often with greater powers than higher level administrative divisions.

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