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16 J.L. Pol'y & Globalization 1 (2013)

handle is hein.journals/jawpglob16 and id is 1 raw text is: Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization www iste.org ISSN 2224-3240 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3259 (Online) -t Vol.16, 2013 IISt Decentralization and Democratic Local Government in Cross River State, Nigeria: A Fact or Fallacy Ikeji, C. C; Utulu, Paul.B; Ojah,Okpo; Akpan, Emmaunuel I; Ibah, Joseph Institution of Public Policy & Administration University of Calabar. Abstract This study focused on decentralization and democratic local government in Cross River State, Nigeria. Sample size of 900 was adopted for the purpose of the study. Stratified random sampling was used in the study. Stratification was done on the basis of geopolitical zone, political party affiliation and educational status of the respondents. 900 political party members evenly distributed (300 apiece) among the three leading political parties in the last general elections were used as respondents for the purpose of the study. Each respondent has at least an SSCE/WASC educational qualification. 300 respondents were interviewed in each of the geopolitical zones (i.e. South, Central and North). One hypothesis was tested. Results showed the political class themselves perceive the local government administration system in Cross River State as not effective and development- focused based on the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. Keywords: Decentralization, Democratic, Fact, Fallacy, Local Government Introduction According to Abutudu (2011), governance at the grassroots in Nigeria is in a state of crisis. This crisis stems from what increasingly looks like deliberate efforts to stem the advance of democratic governance at the local government level in the country. As a tier, the local government retains its outward appearance. It even goes through the motions of performing its functions. However, the crisis into which it is enmeshed has undermined its essence as government whose authority is directly derived and anchored in the Constitution. Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution specifically provides: The local government by democratically elected government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed'. The section went on to enjoin state governments to give content to this provision through enactment of enabling laws. According to the constitution of Nigeria, the only form of governance under which the local government must be run as a democratic one. There has been a conscious andsystematic degradation of this constitutional provision on democratic governance, and this constitutes thecentral problem of the local government system in Nigeria today. Democracy seeks to anchor government on the people. The principal means of doing this is elections. Elections, in a simple sense, enables a people to choose those who will govern them. In enabling 'government', elections, as the chief tool to midwife a democracy, also implies that those given the mandate to govern must view that mandate in terms of the imperative of promoting the welfare of the electorate. Equally, those who have been given the mandate to govern must be responsible andaccountable to those who gave them the mandate; that is, the electorate. In effect, 'development' and 'good governance' are key concepts that have become increasingly intertwined with democracy. Denied of its anchor on ademocratic base, the local government system in Nigeria is invariably suspended from the grassroots. The local councils can hardly be developmental, just as they are practically unaccountable. They are in fact imposed structures that have increasingly become sad and forceful reminders of the systematic disempowerment that has become the lot of the grassroots in Nigeria (Abutudu, 2011; Ikeji, 2002; Ikeji, 2006). Problem Statement The need for an effective and development-focused local government administration system in Nigeria in real terms is a problem and challenge that most states of Nigeria have not been able to solve. It is generally believed that a representative and effective local government administration will in turn lead to development at the grassroots level bearing in mind that local government system is the closest level (tier) of government to the people (Abutudu, 2011). It is pertinent to spell out pointedly that the beauty of 'Decentralization' (the principle upon which the system of local government is based) is arguably in the mobilization of the local resources and people with good knowledge of their local needs for effective grassroots transformation. This is in line with the philosophy of grassroots participation and 'bottom-top' approach to development pursuits. However, this goal and hope as captured in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has generally remained a mirage since the inception of the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria in 1999.This problem has been reported in other studies (Ikeji, 2002; Ikeji, 2006; Abutudu,2011;Mukoro, 2009;Green, 1995; Wunsch and Olowu, 1990; Olowu and Erero, 1997). The local governments in Nigeria are generally believed to be non-independent, non- autonomous, foisted (forced) on the people by the political elites, and therefore unaccountable and inefficient in the performance of their democratic and political duties. The general feeling is that an effective local government

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