Problems and Prospects of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: A Study of Imo State Local Government System: (1976-2013)

Abstract

The ever-reoccurring need for a good evaluation of local government autonomy in Nigeria, its problems and prospects has always been a major problem confronting many researchers. The nature and structure of transactions or interactions between the three tiers of government determine the degree of their autonomy. The study investigates the problems and prospects of local government autonomy in Nigeria: A study of Imo State Local Government System. The study adopts the system theory as the theoretical framework of analysis. The systems theory argues that that every system, including political system has subsystems which make up the entire system. It posits that local governments constitute the subsystems. Methodologically, both primary and secondary data served as sources of information. A stratify random sampling technique was used to select the local governments to be included from each senatorial zone in Imo State while a purposive random sampling was then used to select respondents. A sample size of 846 copies of questionnaires were found valid for the study while a chi-square at 0.05 level of significance was used for research hypothesis. Finally, the study recommends that the sustainability of local government autonomy should be anchored on improved revenue base; adherence to constitutional provisions; political stability; accountability and transparency in government.