Chapter One: Introduction
1.1
Background of the Study
Federalism, according to K.C Wheare, is the method of
dividing powers so that the central and regional governments are each, within a
sphere, co-ordinate and independent. He said that the characteristics of this
Federal Principle are the division of powers among levels of government, a
written constitution showing this division of powers and co-ordinate not
sub-ordinate supremacy of the two levels of government with respect to their
functions (K.C Wheare, 1953: 10).The practice of federalism in Nigeria is one
of the legacies the British colonial masters bequeathed to Nigeria. Local
government is born out of federalism because federalism has to do with the
division of power between the central and the component units local government
is a component in a federal system, it is recognized as a third tier of
government which is charged with the responsibility at the grass root. The
local government performs certain functions assigned to it by the constitution
and the local government is to be autonomous in its own to carry out all its responsibilities without
interference from the central government. The local government should do
precisely the word government in its own sphere. The evolution of local
government in Nigeria has undergone a lot of changes and all these are geared
towards making the local government a system that could serve the purpose for
its creation. But specifically in 1976, under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s
regime introduced the 1976 local government reform. The reform recognized the
local government as the third tier of government in the Nation and it is
expected to do precisely what the word local government implies that is,
governing at the local level. The reforms also intend to stimulate democratic
self government, encourage initiative and leadership potential and entrain the
principle of this reform for the local government to be autonomous having the
freedom to recruit and manage its own staff, raise and manage its own finances,
make policies, laws and provide services within the limits of its resources and
functions without interference, the local government system in Nigeria still
have some constraints that have impeded it’s autonomy. (Okoli, 2005: 107). This
research work puts in focus, Ofu local government area in Kogi state. It will investigate the autonomous
nature of the local government area and see the level of services that has been
delivered in the area. Ofu local government area of Kogi state was created out
of Idah local Government Area In May, 1989 in the then Benue state by the
Federal Military Administration of Nigeria led by General Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida. It has nine districts. They are; Ugwolawo, Itobe, Igalaogba,
Ojokogbe, Aloji, Ejule, Ogbonicha, Igo, Omache and Ofoke. The hand-quarter of
the goo-political entity is Ugwolawo, the historical town that provides haven
for the only Federal Government College in the Kogi Eastern Senatorial
district. Graphically, the local government share boundaries with Dekina Local
Government Area of Kogi state to the North while also sharing boundary with
Ankpa local government to the south. Ofu local government equally shares
boundary with Olamaboro local government area to the South East and also
sharing boundary with Ajaokuta local government area to the west. The local
government area occupies a landmass of almost 8,747.5 square kilometer and a
perimeter of 252.5 kilometers. The 1991 census figure of National population
commission puts the population of the people at 112,697. The people are predominantly Farmers. The
Land is fertile for large scale production of crops like maize, beans,
groundnuts, rice, cassava, melon, guinea corn, Barbara nuts and so on while
mangoes, cashew, palm trees, cocoa e.t.c yield in abundance for
commercialization. The place is equally endowed with mineral resources like
caoline, lime, marble, galena, fieldpars e.t.c lie beneath the earth there in
large quantity for exploration. As it is the characteristic that is always
endemic of the countries of the Sub-Saharan Africa, cultural activities are of
paramount importance to the people of Ofu. Their tourist delights include Uloko
Amo Waterfalls at Ofokopi, Ugbakoji hills in Itobe, Egane Waterfalls, Ofakete
Natural Bridge and Ala Natural funnel.
1.2
Statement of the Problems
Local government Autonomy is meant the Freedom of the
local government to recruit and manage its own staff, raise and manage its own
Finances, make policies, laws and provide services within the limits of its
resources and functions without interference. Before the 1976 Local Government
Reform, Local Governments were under the direct tutelage of the state......================================================================
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