Democratic Consideration of Nigeria; The Case of Gwagwalada Area Council Election in Abuja
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The following objectives will be ascertained;
- To ascertain why local government elections always in favour of the party form at the state level
- To find out how credible was 2019 local government elections in Gwagwalada area council
- To find what was the strengths and weaknesses of 2019 local government elections in Gwagwalada area council
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptualizing Local Government
Local Government has been variously defined. Some of these definitions are given and reviewed below. The United Nations (1959) defines local government as: A political subdivision of a nation or (in a federal system) State, which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs including the power to impose taxes or to exact or exact labour for prescribed purposes. The governing body of such an entity is elected or otherwise locally selected Ugwu (2002) sees Local Government as: “the lowest unit of administration to whose laws and regulations, communities who live in a defined geographical area and with common social and political ties are subject.” For Appadorai (1975): “Local Government is a government by popularly elected bodies charged with administration and executive duties in matters concerning the inhabitants of a particular district or place.” The Guideline for local Government Reform of 1976 defines Local Government as the: Government at local level exercised through representative councils established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas. These powers should give the council substantial control over affairs as well as the staff and institutional and financial powers to initiate and direct the provision of services and to determine and implement projects so as to complement the activities of the state and federal government in their areas and to ensure, through devolution of functions to these councils and through active participation of the people that initiative and response to local needs and conditions are maximized. Enemuo (2008) asserts that: Local government is the lower level of government in a modern state, that is legally distinct, and has powers to raise revenue and undertake assigned responsibilities under a leadership that is elected and answerable to the local population. (Enemuo; 2008, 318) From these and other similar definitions, some salient points about Local Government are obvious. One, Local Government is a government of the local people by the local people. Two, Local Government has certain power over a particular geography. Three, people that govern Local Government are elected by the people. Four, the elected officials of Local Government are responsible and accountable to the people over which they govern. Five, the people of a Local Government have certain affinities with one another. It is therefore safe to define Local Government as a government created by the law with certain powers and functions, administered by local people for the advancement of the welfare and happiness of local people.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Democratic consideration of Nigeria; Local government election. Gwagwalada area council form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain democratic consideration of Nigeria; the case of Gwagwalada area council election. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of democratic consideration of Nigeria; the case of Gwagwalada area council election
Summary
This study was on democratic consideration of Nigeria; the case of Gwagwalada area council election. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain why local government election always in favour of the party form at the state level, to find out how credible was 2019 local government elections in Gwagwalada area council and to find what was the strengths and weaknesses of 2019 local government elections in Gwagwalada area council. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Gwagwalada Area council. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
It can be seen from the above discussions and analyses that election in Nigeria is often marred with irregularities especially the one conducted at the state levels to the extent that the outcome usually reflects the wishes of the political party vis-a-vis governors that formed government at the state levels. This is so as the result of the 2014 local government election in Kano State presented the worst picture as its outcome is unique in all respect, uncommon and defied common sense whereby only one party wins all the forty-four local government chairmen seats. However, the outcome of the election may cause suspicion on the integrity of the people charged with the responsibility to conduct the election and question the independence of the electoral body. Still in the same vein, there is danger in Nigeria‟s democracy as the will of the people is always manipulated and pushed aside in the quest for power and selfish interest. This is evidenced in proven cases of making the conduct of local government elections at the mercy of the state governors within their respective states. These pose serious threat to democracy and its consolidation because political apathy will be the order of the day. Yet, the said election is less violent and a clear departure of the manifested attribute of local government election in Nigeria and Kano State in particular. This may likely be attached to the gravity of the insecurity bedeviling the country and the way and manner by which the ruling party approaches the situation. Finally, the election and its outcome is credible as per the smooth change of government is concerned
Recommendation
- Government should ensure that the electoral body is independent and credible in discharging their responsibilities without interference in whatever form political, economic or otherwise.
- Government should put in place appropriate sanctions on election related cases without fear or favour.
- Government should provides enabling environment for the electorates to come en mass whenever call upon to exercise their civil responsibility.
- Government should change the mindset of the political parties and their respective governors toward the conduct of local government elections.
- There should be need by the government to strengthen the economic and sociopolitical capacity of the citizens. This is to say the dividend of democracy should be seen and actualized.
References
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