Local Government System and the Escalation of Insecurity in Nigeria

Abstract

The local government system is very crucial in the development of rural areas and can tackle the growing level of insecurity in Nigeria if allow to function properly. This paper is very timely considering the role the local government system plays at the rural areas which include: sustenance of the rural-economy, human capital development, participatory governance, provision of infrastructure and empowerment of the rural people. A firm function of the local government system is an asset to the Nigerian society. In recent times, insecurity has escalated beyond human proportion and the government is investing huge resources to clamp down on people who are deem threat to security from all the geo-political zones. This paper seeks to inform the Federal Government that more should be done on the functionality system of the third tier of government by propelling it to run on full blown autonomy without interference by the state governments. That, if the local government functions at full capacity, rural people will be empowered, rural-urban migration curbed, enhancement of the local economy, provision of both direct and indirect jobs for the youths, thus they will not be given to crime which triggers insecurity or use as political thugs easily during elections. This article ventured into the effects of insecurity to rural areas, the restoration of the local government system, proper check of allocations of local governments by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and proper recommendations made for the full blown restoration of the local government system, in order to curtail the rise of insecurity.

Key words: Local Government System, Insecurity, Development, Rural Areas. Nigeria