Fluidity in democratic local governance: the Achilles’ heel of Nigerian Local Government

Abstract

Democratic local governance emerged in Nigeria in the 1950s as a result of the granting of regional self-government status by the British colonial government. After more than sixty years of local democracy in the country, it is regrettable that while local government is of strategic importance in the national development process, its contribution has not been substantial. This is in spite of enormous resources that have been committed to ensuring that it contributes significantly to the national development process. Advancing the capacity of local governments to act effectively and accountably requires democratic local governance, relative autonomy and the political will of the local actors to engage in activities that significantly benefit the local populace. The argument of this paper is that, while these three factors are prerequisites for sound local government, the issue of democratic local governance is the key factor which when addressed will drive and strengthen the other two factors to put local government on a sound footing. Where democratic local governance advances and flourishes, decentralisation becomes more effective and local governments and the communities concerned gain the authority, resources, and skills to make responsive choices and to act on them effectively and accountably.