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26 J. Legal Ethical & Regul. Isses 1 (2023)

handle is hein.journals/jnlolletl26 and id is 1 raw text is: 



Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues


   LEGAL PERSPECTIVES APPURTENANT TO LOCAL
        GOVERNMENT REFORMS IN NIGERIA AND
                               SWITZERLAND

           Michael   Obiora  Ifeanyi  Nwabuoku, Delta State University
               Peter  Ikechukwu Gasiokwu, Delta State University

                                     ABSTRACT

       In Nigeria, local government is considered as a third-tier government. Local government
management   is provided for in section 7 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which
pigeonholes local government under  the supervision of state government, limiting reform
initiatives. Section 8 outlines the formation of new local government as well as the procedures
that must be followed. Nigeria's reform initiatives have progressed under both the previous and
current government. A local government reform in Switzerland is also investigated for the
objective of idea and reform cross-fertilization. The paper concludes that sections 7 and 8 of the
1999 constitution should be amended so that local government can become fully autonomous.

Keywords:   Legal Perspectives, Local Government Reforms, Autonomy,  Third Tier Arm of
            Government, Nigeria, Switzerland.

                                  INTRODUCTION

       To say those local governments in Nigeria require reforms while yet denying that they
have implemented certain changes is to stretch the truth. Local government is the most important
level of government for generating momentum  for long-term national growth (Bello-Imam,
1996). This can be accomplished by amending section 7 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
       As a result, local government falls under the umbrella of state government and is thus
governed by them. The tune is dictated by the person who blows the piper. Local government
have limited autonomy, it is difficult to implement reforms due to state government' extensive
power and influence.
       Various  Nigerian governments,  including President Buhari's have  attempted to
implement various reforms in local government. The multiple government systems in Nigeria
have also played a part in the efforts to restructure local government.
       This study examines legal considerations related to local government reforms in Nigeria
and Switzerland through thirteen interconnected segments. It starts with the introduction. It
examines the occurrences and history of Nigerian local government reforms. It discusses the
benefits and drawbacks of local government changes; for example, one of the benefits is that it
puts government closer to the people. It discusses local government autonomy as a complement
to reforms and local government reform in Nigeria, from the 1976 local government reform to
the 1984-1989 Dasuki reform, as well as its highlights and recommendations. There was also the
General Ibrahim  Babangida-led reform in 1991, followed by  the reforms of Abacha  and


                                      1                               1544-0044-26-1-106
Citation Information: Nwabuoku, M.O.l., & Gasiokwu, P.I. (2023). Legal perspectives appurtenant to local government reforms in
                Nigeria and Switzerland. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues, 26(1), 1-16.


Volume 26, Issue 1, 2023

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