CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background to the Study The scholarly discourse and investigation in constitutional studies and federalism, particularly in respect of local government autonomy, is engendered mainly by the overbearing powers of the state and sometimes lack of elected executive chairmen at the grassroots. State encroachment into local government affairs and their total control of the local councils by appointed committees who are loyalist to the State Governors has thus triggered research works aimed at reversing such encroachment given the immense role that can be played in grassroots politics by the local government (Awortwi, 2010). With the recent passage of LGs act cap 1,2019, the senate has just upgraded local government in Nigeria as a full third tier of government. With this development, Nigerian has become of the few governments in the world perhaps in addition to Brazil (Erero, 1998) that have elevated LGs to a third tier of government. By so doing, the State governments do not exercise absolute controls over LGs. As we shall also observe later, there are many checks and balances that have been formulated by the Nigerian Federal Government, to facilitate the effective operations of the local government councils (LGCs). Some of such checks and balances are guaranteed existence of LGs in section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, financial allocation from the Federation account and involvement of LGs in economic planning of the State governments (Nigeria, 1999a). According to Kiwanuka (2012), Local governments in Nigeria are single tier government responsible for providing basic services to the people. Local governments exist to provide peculiar services particularly to rural communities. Countries world over, irrespective of system of government, sees local government as essential instrument of national or state government for the performance of certain basic services which could best be administered locally as the intimate knowledge of the needs, conditions and peculiarities of the areas concerned rest with the tier (Gbartea, 2011). In Nigeria, reforms have been articulated and executed in a bid to correct certain perceived excessive state encroachment, abuse of powers and the use of undemocratic leaders and caretaker committee to run the local governments by the state governments in Nigeria. Of all government reforms deliberately put in place to address this problem, the 1976 local government reform which for the first time recognized local government as a third tier, accords autonomous powers to the local councils and reduced excessive politicking of state over local government occupies an enviable place in Nigeria’s political system (Ekpe, Ekpe, and Daniels, 2013). The principle of autonomy is an important issue for local governments because it cannot functions efficiently without appreciable elements of autonomy. History has shown that local government administration prior to 1976 showed the existence of these institutions as mere field units. There was so much dictation by the state government which undermines good initiatives for development at the level. This development informed the 1976 reforms, and with the guarantee of third tier status in the constitution, are expected that these would serve as good breather to local governments. Although evidence has shown that as far back as the Second Republic, there was hardly any attempt to democratize the local government due to unnecessary political interference by the state governments. Irrespective of the nature and extent of flaws that may characterize local government autonomy in principle and practice in Nigeria, it has, for fairly some time, become an important issue for considerations at the National Assembly. Not surprisingly, it has been subjected to various critical assessments. The foregoing nevertheless, not much intellectual efforts have been deployed in examining the local government autonomy as a vehicle for redressing inordinate usurpation of powers of local governments by state governments in grassroots politics in the country. The basic issue to which this research work seeks to address is to, in an exploratory manner; examine the local government autonomy within the context of unrestricted local governments powers, elections, financial autonomy and authority over grassroots development. This research work is interested in examining the role of local government autonomy and grassroots development in Nigeria with special reference to Oyo west local government authority. 1.2. Statement of the Problem A lot of challenges have defeated the essence of Local Government which is to bring government nearer to the people, as well as delivery of social services at the grassroots. It is no news that the means of service delivery by Nigerian public institutions, Local Government inclusive, is being hounded by the increasing rate of corruption among personnel. The hydra-headed corruption has become part and parcel in the Local Government. The level of political and financial interference by the state government is worrisome and it demands total overhaul. The provision of an inseparable federal allocation between Local Government and state government by the 1999 constitution, in section 162, paragraph 6, for the establishment and operation of State Local Government Joint Account has hindered the effectiveness and efficiency of Local Government (Chukwuemeka et al., 2014). More often than not, state government dissolves Local Government council and withholds the conduct of election at the local level. As soon as a new governor comes into office, one of the first actions is to dissolve that existing Local Government councils, whether elected or caretaker (Abutudu, 2011). For instance, prior to 29 October 2016; Oyo and Osun state did not conducted Local Government election since 2007. The poor attitudinal dispositions among Local Government workers continue to impede effective and efficient service delivery at the grassroots. This could take the form of absenteeism, lying, indiscipline, laziness, lack of work commitment, and lateness to work (Odiaka, 1991; Akerele, 1980; Ogunrin and Erhijakpor, 2009). 1.3. Research Questions This study raised the following research questions: (i). To what extent does Local Government autonomy influence service delivery in Nigeria? (ii). Do Local Government constitutional powers and functions enable execution of service delivery in Nigeria? (iii). Does Local Government autonomy has any impact on service delivery at the grassroots in Nigeria? 1.4 Research Objectives The overall aim of this study is to critically examine the nexus between Local Government autonomy and effective social service delivery. In the light of this, the study seeks to; i. examine the degree of Local Government autonomy on service delivery in Nigeria. ii. appraise constitutional powers and functions of Local Government as regards service delivery. iii. examine the impact of Local Government autonomy on service delivery in Nigeria. 1.5. Research Hypothesis Based on the aforementioned research questions, the following research hypotheses are formulated for this study in null form: i. Local Governments ineffectiveness and inefficiency on service delivery are not due to their lack of autonomy. ii. Constitutional powers and functions of the Local Government do not enhance service delivery at the grassroots. iii. Local Government autonomy has no impact on service delivery in Nigeria. 1.6. Scope of Study This study examines the extent to which Local Government is autonomous structurally, financially and electorally in Nigeria towards effective service delivery at the grassroots level. In this regard, the scope of study spans on activities of local government within 2011-2018. The choice of this period call to mind because it peruse the period by which local government autonomous receive a rowdy attention at the Federal House of Representative in Nigeria. 1.7. Significance of the Study A study of this nature is significant in a number of ways. Firstly, the research work is timely and in accordance with national priority. The issue of service delivery by the local government for the people at the grassroots has been an unending debate even prior to Nigerian 1999 democratic rule. This research study would help us to understand the status of local government in respect of its independence. Government’s commitment at improving service delivery in Nigeria at the Local Government level should be listed as priority because Nigerians have for too long been feeling short-changed by the quality of services delivered by Local Government despite the fact that it is the nearest government to the people. More importantly, it will expand the frontier of knowledge by identifying factors influencing service delivery in Nigerian Local Government Areas. These factors when clearly identified (undue political interference, absence of autonomy, corruption, etc.) will go a long way in providing answers to questions like why service delivery has not improved in Nigerian Local Government councils despite the increased 20.6% financial allocations from the Federation Account in March 2014 (Ojo, 2010 cited in Kalu) Furthermore, the research is justified on the grounds that it will help decision makers in local government administration in their policy formulation; agencies such the review of Local Government Acts by the National Assembly, and resuscitation of Local Government Service Commission (LGSC). In addition, members of the public will find the research work educative and resourceful. Future researchers on service delivery in Nigerian Local Government Areas will find the study a rich resource material for their research. 1.8. Operational Definition of Terms Local Government: government closest to a locale which carries out administrative and executive functions assigned to it by statute or law. Delegation: a form of autonomy wherein central government designates duties and responsibilities to agencies that are not necessarily under the jurisdiction of the central authority; however, reportability remains to the central government. Grassroots Development: For this study grassroots developments refer to initiatives aim at spreading development evenly across the local level of government. For the purpose of this study grassroots development is used interchangeably with rural development. Autonomy: autonomy can be understood from the perspective of this study as the right to self-administration. Local Government Autonomy: in this study local government autonomy is giving local communities the right to governed themselves by initiating development activities and engaging in decision making. It is used synonymously with Local Governance in this study. 1.9. Plan of Work The researcher organized the study into five chapters. The first chapter is captioned introduction. Here the researcher discussed the background of the study, the statement of the research problem and the objectives of the study. These objectives are transformed into research questions. The significance of the study is explained followed by the scope of the study. Key terms and concepts are defined to suit the purpose of the study. The second chapter is the review of extant and related literature on the area of study. The theoretical framework of the study was also discussed in chapter two and gaps in literature are proffered by the researcher. Chapter three discusses the methodology the study incorporated. Chapter four is where the researcher did data analysis and discussion of findings of the study. Chapter five concludes the study and provides recommendations from the researcher.
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