ABSTRACT
The study aims at finding out the role and contributions of citizens in the local government level. This research work therefore tries of explore foundational participatory role of local government their level of awareness and education.
This work is divided into three chapters. Chapter one deals with the introduction and background of the study, the research problem, research questions definition of terms and significance of the study.
Chapter tow presented the consulted literature while chapter three was deviate to the research methodology the data collected and interpreted the finding results
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
1.3 Objectives Of The Study
1.4 Significance Of The Study
1.5 Theoretical Perspective
1.6 Research Questions
1.7 Scope Of The Study
1.8 Definition Of Concepts
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 The History of Local Government in Nigeria
Evolution Of Local Government In Nigeria.
2.2 Colonial Back Ground Of Local Government In Nigeria
2.3 Structural Development Of Local Government In Nigerian
2.4 Local Government Reform (1976)
2.5 Local Government Review in the Third Republic
2.6 Post Independence Era.
2.7 Political Participation in Local Government
2.8 The Nature Of Local Government Election In Nigeria
2.9 Factors In Evolving Political Participation in
Nigeria Local government.
CHAPTER THREE.
3.0 Presentation, analysis 1 and interpretation of data.
3.1 Conclusion
3.2 Recommendation
Bibliography
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Beginning from the early 19505 various models have been used in governing of local communication in our country. Among the models which had at one time been adopted for all or some parts of the country includes: the guardian native authority system the American council manager model and divisional administrative system . these various system were however abolished following the 1976 nation –wide local government by general murtala mohammed (the then head of state). This reform for first time introduced a uniform, one tier, all purpose local government system across the country. It was meant to correct the well known defeats of the previous system such as; lack of autonomy, encroachments, upon local government function by state governments, inadequate funding and lack of adequate qualified man power, how staffing morale and decreasing productivity.
The local government institution is perhaps the oldest formal institution nearest to the ordinary Nigeria, especially since the official colonial imposition of 1900. in historical discourse which performs primary public functions closest to the people. It is therefore a primary channel through which the citizens participate in the governance of the society.
Essentially, the essence political participation Nigerian is therefore to give the broad mass of Nigerian people the opportunity to get involved in duties and privileges of the democratic process and thereby establishing a new political order capable of ensuring the following
a Justice.
B Create orientation, awareness and political mobilization.
C Opportunity for the people to participate in the decision making process and a new social and on equitable distribution of national resources and opportunities.
All these require that people select and control their political authority created at the local community level to serve the needs and the interest of the local people. It is designed to bring government thus Oyediram view local government, as “government in which popular participation. Both in choice of decision makers and in the bodies which while recognizing the supremacy of the central government is able and willing to accept responsibility for its decision local government posses characteristics which put it in an appropriate position to serve as a means for social mobilization. In the first, it is government that is nearest to the people and has face- to –face relation ship with the people, As the government is nearer to the people, it possesses the first hand knowledge and feet’s the most impact, of the people’s needs and as privations.
Accordingly the political Bureau report correctly observed that “a government operating at the local government level is more likely to be attuned to the needs of the people”.
Secondly, sine local government is generally community based, there is a greater sense of we feeling among the people of the greater sense of we feeling among the people of the local area.
This sense of we feeling fosters commitment to common cause that makers the mobilization of the people to participate in politics possible.
Thirdly since local government is based on small units of local communications upon whom political powers, it engenders greater participation of local people in the management of their affair.
This principal of the local government reform of 1976 which among its objectives of the local government reform of 1976 which among its objectives are to facilitate the exercise of democratic self government close to the local level of our resources through the involvement of the members of the public in their development activities.
Fourthly, the local government as a creature of the central (state) government, can be employed to achieve the ideological purposes of the state system at the grass roots level. It was argued that since local government is located in areas of local isolation and traditionalism requiring a high level of political socialization it’s role in social mobilization is considered to be crucial and pivotal.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM