Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Federalism, according to K.C Wheare, is the method of dividing powers so that the central and regional governments are each, within a sphere, co-ordinate and independent. He said that the characteristics of this Federal Principle are the division of powers among levels of government, a written constitution showing this division of powers and co-ordinate not sub-ordinate supremacy of the two levels of government with respect to their functions (K.C Wheare, 1953: 10).The practice of federalism in Nigeria is one of the legacies the British colonial masters bequeathed to Nigeria. Local government is born out of federalism because federalism has to do with the division of power between the central and the component units local government is a component in a federal system, it is recognized as a third tier of government which is charged with the responsibility at the grass root. The local government performs certain functions assigned to it by the constitution and the local government is to be autonomous in its own to
2
carry out all its responsibilities without interference from the central government. The local government should do precisely the word government in its own sphere. The evolution of local government in Nigeria has undergone a lot of changes and all these are geared towards making the local government a system that could serve the purpose for its creation. But specifically in 1976, under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime introduced the 1976 local government reform. The reform recognized the local government as the third tier of government in the Nation and it is expected to do precisely what the word local government implies that is, governing at the local level. The reforms also intend to stimulate democratic self government, encourage initiative and leadership potential and entrain the principle of this reform for the local government to be autonomous having the freedom to recruit and manage its own staff, raise and manage its own finances, make policies, laws and provide services within the limits of its resources and functions without interference, the local government system in Nigeria still have some constraints that have impeded it’s autonomy. (Okoli, 2005: 107). This research work puts in focus, Ofu local government area in
3
Kogi state. It will investigate the autonomous nature of the local government area and see the level of services that has been delivered in the area. Ofu local government area of Kogi state was created out of Idah local Government Area In May, 1989 in the then Benue state by the Federal Military Administration of Nigeria led by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. It has nine districts. They are; Ugwolawo, Itobe, Igalaogba, Ojokogbe, Aloji, Ejule, Ogbonicha, Igo, Omache and Ofoke. The hand-quarter of the goo-political entity is Ugwolawo, the historical town that provides haven for the only Federal Government College in the Kogi Eastern Senatorial district. Graphically, the local government share boundaries with Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi state to the North while also sharing boundary with Ankpa local government to the south. Ofu local government equally shares boundary with Olamaboro local government area to the South East and also sharing boundary with Ajaokuta local government area to the west. The local government area occupies a landmass of almost 8,747.5 square kilometer and a perimeter of 252.5 kilometers. The 1991 census figure of National population commission puts the population of the
4
people at 112,697. The people are predominantly Farmers. The Land is fertile for large scale production of crops like maize, beans, groundnuts, rice, cassava, melon, guinea corn, Barbara nuts and so on while mangoes, cashew, palm trees, cocoa e.t.c yield in abundance for commercialization. The place is equally endowed with mineral resources like caoline, lime, marble, galena, fieldpars e.t.c lie beneath the earth there in large quantity for exploration. As it is the characteristic that is always endemic of the countries of the Sub-Saharan Africa, cultural activities are of paramount importance to the people of Ofu. Their tourist delights include Uloko Amo Waterfalls at Ofokopi, Ugbakoji hills in Itobe, Egane Waterfalls, Ofakete Natural Bridge and Ala Natural funnel.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
Local government Autonomy is meant the Freedom of the local government to recruit and manage its own staff, raise and manage its own Finances, make policies, laws and provide services within the limits of its resources and functions without interference. Before the 1976 Local Government Reform, Local Governments were under the direct tutelage of the state
5
government which vested with the exclusive powers to make and unmake them. As a result, Local Governments were subjected to excessive controls by their respective state governments. These controls by their respective state governments were carried out through such mediums as approval of bye-laws and major contracts, appointment of certain categories of professional and administrative staff, approval of annual estimates and loan proposals and funding through grants-in-aid. These control measures posed negative consequences as they culminated into delays which in turn frustrated many important policies and programmes in the local government area. In addition, state governments created, modified, dissolved and suspended local government councils at will. The states had the power to abolish their local government system. In fact, local government existed at the mercy of the state.
The autonomy of local government in Africa countries such as Nigeria is more in theory than in practice. As Olowu (1988:71) succinctly puts it:
6
Most government has opted for the direct control by central government of their local governments through a battery of legal, financial and administrative controls… So called “local government” units of central governments or worse still, exist as parallel institutions to the government’s field administration controlled by both the central and field units.
The heavy dependence of local governments in Nigeria for instance on statutory allocation from the Federal government whittles down the autonomy of the former. It puts local government at the mercy of the federal government. Furthermore, successive Nigerian governments (both federal and state) have interfered in the actual functioning of the local government. For instance, between 1984 and late 1987, local government councils were abolished and the administration of the affairs of the local government were placed entirely on the sole administrator. Again, in 1994, the elected local government council were disbanded by the military government of General Abacha and replaced with caretaker committees (Ezeani, 2004). Also the financial autonomy of local governments has on many occasions been tempered with by the state governments. This is currently the case in Nigeria
7
were some state governments confisiticate federal allocations to the local government and give whatever amount they like to the chairman to run the local government. (Ezeani, 2004:86). Despite these for reaching measures as recommended by the 1976 local government reform thereby making it the bedrock of modern local government system in Nigeria, One can safely assert that the local government still has some constraints that have actually impeded its success. These in the view of Olugbemi (1986) can be summarized as;
– Continued jurisdiction of state government over the most important functions allocated to local government in the guidelines and as stipulated in the fourth schedule of 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
– Continued imposition of various central government, it controls the selection of councilors, in budgeting and budget control, in policy determination including the determination of fiscal policies, in personnel management etc which tend to diminish the value of government in local governments.
8
Therefore, the study will seek to provide empirical and verifiable answers to these problems based on the following questions.
– Does Federalism guarantee local government autonomy?
– Is Nigeria local government system (Ofu Local Government) autonomous?
– Does the granting of full autonomy to the local government enhance its service delivery?
1.3 Objectives of the study
Every research work encapsulates and embodies diverse objectives to be achieved at the end of the research. Thus, the broad objective of this research work is to assess “the Nigerian Federalism and local government autonomy specifically Ofu local government area of Kogi state. Specifically however, the study attempts to:
– To ascertain if federalism guarantees local government autonomy.
– To investigate if Nigeria local government system (Ofu local government) is fully autonomous.
9
– To explain if full autonomy is given to Nigeria local government system (Ofu local government) will enhance its service delivery.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is divided into two viz: Theoretical and practical.
At the theoretical level, it will add to the frontier of knowledge of Nigerian Federalism and local government autonomy. This research will serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic. At the practical level, the study will help our policy makers and those in power to see the negative effect of lack of local government autonomy, and in a way make the leaders see reasons or how effective the government at the grass root (local government) will become if given full autonomy.
10
1.6 Theoretical Framework
Theory has been defined as set of interrelated constructs, concepts, propositions or ideas that presents a systematic view of a phenomenon by specifying relations among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomenon (kerlinger 1977:57). Following from the above, we can deduce that theory serves as a foundation of any social science
32
research. It provides a logical explanation of a phenomenon or event and at the same time, predicting its possible outcome. Theoretical framework on the other hand has been identified by Igwe (2005: 442-443) as “the guide on the school of thought expressing some level or form of existing relevant knowledge and adopted by the student or the researcher as the foundation of his work. Chosen normally from any array of political theories reviewed after thorough literature review.
Saliu (2004:9) had underscored the importance of theoretical framework in social science as he holds that the importance of applying theories to social science research efforts has long been realized. In view of the scholars of the behavioral approach social science is not scientifically based unless it is backed up by a theory.
Saliu further maintains that, “theoretical frame work” refers to the conscious and deliberate decision that a researcher has made in terms of the theory or a combination of theories, which guide his research efforts. In view of the foregoing, and in bid to conduct a systematic research, we shall anchor our investigation on the theory and persuasion of the structural functional theory.
33
Structural functionalism as described by Haralambos and Holborn (2004: 936-937) is a theoretical framework that is intended to explain the basis for the maintenance of order and stability in society and the relevant arrangement within the society which maintain from the biological sciences was abinitio adopted as a mode of analysis by Gabriel Almond. Almond contends that every political system has structures that are there to perform certain functions. It goes further to say that every political system involves structure and functions according to Robert Marton (quoted in Nwaogu 2002: 47) are “those observed consequences which make for the adaptation or adjustment of a given system “structures on the other hand, refer to “the arrangement within the system which perform the function” it is therefore evident in the view expressed above that for the continued existence of a political system, all structures must be allowed to perform its functions allocated to it by the constitution freely.
Gabriel Almond the main proponent of this theory developed seven (7) specific functions which every political system must perform;
34
Input functions
Political Socialization & Recruitment
Interest Articulation
Interest Aggregation
Political Communication
Output functions
Rule-Making
Rule-application
Rule adjudication. (Almond analyzed in Varma (1975: 209)
In collaborating Almond’s position, Varma (1975:211) holds that structural functionalism revolves around two main concepts- functions and structures, on the basis of which three questions could be posed,
– What basic functions are fulfilled in any given political system?
– By what structure?
– Under what conditions?
35
Following the above analysis the relevance of structural functional theory in Nigeria Federalism and local government autonomy cannot be overemphasized. In Nigeria, power is shared among the three level of government (federal, state, and local) which in this regard are the structures: these structure are expected to be taken care of by the constitution taking cognizance of the notion that constitution is the frame or composition of government, to the way in which a government is actually structured in terms of its levels, the distribution of power within it, the relations of the organs, and the procedures for exercising powers (Nwabueze, 1993:1) inherent in Nwabueze’s view is that constitution creates structures, assign roles or functions to them as well as co-ordinates and regulates their respective and collective activities and relationship with each other. In Nigeria federation, the executive legislature and judiciary is assigned specific functions by the constitution. Also the three levels of government, federal state and local governments have their own powers delineated and delimited in the constitution. It is expected that the levels of government performs their respective functions as drawn in the constitution, the aim and
36
maintenance of order and stability which is about the most essential of the state based on the liberal scholars, could have been achieved. Again in a federal state, the various component units are equally structures which are expected to perform certain functions. Since it is expected that the central and regional government should exist independently and also co-coordinately, and not a situation where the central government assumes a dictatorial role on other levels, performing the functions the regional government is to perform, it is then logical that all the component units should be autonomous & economically viable as to ensure uniformity in size of the government units as anything contrary to this could suggest J.S. mills’ “law of instability” if a particular structure is not viable there will certainly be limitations on the functions it is expected to perform for the continuous existence of the federation. Moreover, since the constitution has a pride of place in federal practice, it then becomes imperative that the various structures in a federation should participate in its making as this is also part of their function. A deviation from this view, could amount to a situation where the constitution will fail to reflect the aspiration of the people. The
37
constitution might as well fail to institutionalize the appropriate structures whose functions it also ought to define and delimit. In other words the constitution may even create structures, but fail to assign appropriate functions to them. Furthermore, it is important to note that the federal system of government has the local government as the third tier and not an administration under any other level of government as provided by the 1976 local government reform, and also in the constitution (1999) 4th schedule, it assigns some functions to the local government thus, in a federal system practice, the various level of government are supposed to be sharing powers & functions in such a way that power will not be concentrated or centralized on a particular tier at the detriment of others. In line with structural functional theory, if the local government is allowed with a full autonomy to perform its function within its jurisdiction, in a way will enhance service delivery at the grassroots. Both the input & output functions should be performed simultaneously, output should be a product of input function therefore constitution making as output functions should reflect the inputs made by various structures. In a situation where there is a deviation from
38
this practice, structural defects set in and if not properly managed, could lead to system decay.
1.7 Hypotheses
This research work is anchored on the following assumptions: It seems Federalism guarantees local government autonomy. Nigeria local government system (Ofu Local Government) is not autonomous. There is a correlation between the granting of full autonomy to local government (Ofu Local Government) and enhanced service delivery.
1.8 Method of Data Collection and Analysis
Just as a builder relies on a building plan and a voyager uses a compass to guide his voyage. In this study, we adopt the use of both primary and secondary source of data collection. The primary source was based on personal interview with some Ofu local government officials’ while the secondary source of data collection is also justified due to its reliable and scientific facts and ideas must be supplemented with empiricism.
39
The secondary source of data includes materials like; text books, newspapers, magazines, government publications research papers, journals handbooks, internet e.t.c.
Moreover, we shall adopt content analysis as our method of investigation. This involves reading meaning into materials that are collected for the purpose of achieving reliable and verifiable conclusion.
1.9 Operationalization of Terms:
The following terms will be operationalized for a better understanding;
i. Federalism
ii. Local government
iii. Local government autonomy
iv. Functions
v. Structures
vi. Local government officials
i. Federalism: it is a system of government in a country otherwise referred to as a federation, is a system of government in which the
40
political and socio-economic powers are shared between the central government (referred to as federal government) and the co-ordinate political sub-division of the country, referred to in Nigeria as region but now referred to as states and local government.
ii. Local government: it is a government at the local level exercised through representative council established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas. These powers should give the council substantial control over local affairs as well as the staff, institutional and financial powers to initiate and direct the provision of service and to determine and implement projects so as to complement the activities of the state and federal government in their areas and to ensure through active participation of the people and their traditional institution that local initiatives and responses to local needs are maximized.
iii. Local government autonomy: is the freedom of the local government to recruit and manage its own staff, raise and manage its own finances, make policies, laws and provide service within the
41
limits of its resource and functions without interference from the federal and state government.
iv. Functions: observed consequences which made for the adoption or adjustment of a given system.
v. Structure: the arrangement within the system which performs the functions.
vi. Local government reform: it is an attempt to re-organize the local government so as to improve the whole activities at that level.
DISCLAIMER: All project works, files and documents posted on this website, UniProjectTopics.com are the property/copyright of their respective owners. They are for research reference/guidance purposes only and some of the works may be crowd-sourced. Please don’t submit someone’s work as your own to avoid plagiarism and its consequences. Use it as a reference/citation/guidance purpose only and not copy the work word for word (verbatim). The paper should be used as a guide or framework for your own paper. The contents of this paper should be able to help you in generating new ideas and thoughts for your own study. UniProjectTopics.com is a repository of research works where works are uploaded for research guidance. Our aim of providing this work is to help you eradicate the stress of going from one school library to another in search of research materials. This is a legal service because all tertiary institutions permit their students to read previous works, projects, books, articles, journals or papers while developing their own works. This is where the need for literature review comes in. “What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original.” - Austin Kleon. The paid subscription on UniProjectTopics.com is a means by which the website is maintained to support Open Education. If you see your work posted here by any means, and you want it to be removed/credited, please contact us with the web address link to the work. We will reply to and honour every request. Please notice it may take up to 24 – 48 hours to process your request.
