LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A VEHICLE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF WUSHISHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

All over the World, various approaches and strategies have been adopted or used by governments for the purpose of governance or management of its rural areas. But there has not been any consensus on the most appropriate strategy to be adopted in the administration of the rural areas.

The problem of governance, particularly at the local level has been a recurring decimal in the political history of Nigeria. The history or genesis of local government in Nigeria can be traced back to the pre-colonial era and the formative period of large-scale kingdoms and powerful empires in the country. The existence of provincial systems, which operated in Borno and Oyo empires, as well as the Emirate system of Sokoto Caliphate “exhibited rudimentary conception of Local Administration” (Minna: 1993). In these areas, there were smaller districts, villages and wards that were subject to the Kingdom and Emirate government. These smaller or subordinate levels of government could be seen or described as local governments (Ugwu: 2000:5).

The local government system in Nigeria started during the colonial era when it was vested in traditional rulers. The basis for local government in Nigeria became the indirect Rule System. Historically, Local Government system in Nigeria, as it is today, metamorphosed through many reforms or re-organization. From 1950, no decade passed without a major reform or re-organization of the system. The Local Government system has witnessed more reforms and reorganization when compared with the core civil service (Obas: 2000:1).

Before 1950, the Local Government was known as Native Authority or Native Administration System. According to Gboyega (1987), Local Administration system comprised of four main interdependent parts, namely:

1. The Resident, who provided direction and control;
2. The Native Authority, usually headed by a Chief who enjoyed legitimacy under the indigenous political system
3. The Native Treasurer; and
4. The Native Court.

The whole process or system was hinged on the principles of indirect rule.

The major function of Native Administration system then was the maintenance of law and order and the collection of taxes within their territory. According to Obas (2000), the Native Administration System was identified with the following strength. First, it provided organization suitable for maintaining contact with the people. Secondly, it maintained law and order successfully. Third, they provided social services such as education and dispensaries. Fourth, they preserved the long-standing tradition of the people from collapse and decay. These virtues were highly visible in the the Northern Nigeria where Indirect Rule succeeded more than in the South.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A VEHICLE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF WUSHISHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE