Local Government and Intergovernmental Relations in Nigeria: A Content Analysis

Abstract

This article attempts to justify Local Government and intergovernmental relation with special reference to Nigeria. The study pointed out that the relationship between local government and other tiers of government in Nigeria has been problematic over the years. Local government being the third tier of government is the worst hit of poor administrative performance and this rendered the service delivery of the local government cripple and lack effectiveness. This article also put forward that Local Government suffer a setback owing to the influence of the State and Federal government in their affairs and thereby making the local government mere administrative structure.  Despite the weak federalism system in Nigeria, there is bound to be an interaction between the local and other levels of government and this is inevitable. Local Government in Nigeria is not mutually exclusive of other levels of government. The study adopted content analysis. The study found that factors such as revenue allocation, domination and overconcentration of power at the centre, illegitimate removal of government officials, among other factors are the not the beauty of true federalism. Therefore, to ensure smooth and cordial relationship between the local government and other levels of government, the constitutional power of local government must be clearly spelt out, undue interference and involvement on the local government affairs by the state or federal government should be addressed. Finally, disbursement of fund to all tiers of government should be done directly from federation allocation to all the levels of government.  Also recommended among other things that effort should be made to ensure that all tiers of government should adhere to fiscal transparency, accountability and constitutional provisions on fiscal relations.