Local government autonomy and rural development in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Abstract

Local government is closest tier of government to the people at the grassroots which are saddled with certain powers to exercise over the affairs of the people at the grassroots. The study seeks to examine how lack of autonomy of local government affects the development of rural areas in Kaduna state grassroots level. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study generated data from secondary sources which includes published and unpublished materials such as textbooks, journals, newspaper, magazine, conference paper, seminar, internet materials, among others. The study adopted Hegemony theory as the theoretical framework. The study revealed that the State-Joint Local Government Account and the imposition of Caretaker Committee system have negative effect on the development of rural areas in Kaduna state. The study concluded that autonomy is a sine qua non to the development of Local Government areas Kaduna State. The study recommends that there should be need for a total abolition of joint- account of local government in Nigeria and also the constitution be amended in that light abolishing both State-Joint Local Government Account and the illegal imposition of the practice of Caretaker Committees in a democratic system of government.