Local Government a Platform for Political Participation
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The major objectives of the study are:
- To ascertain whether grassroots democracy refers to the active involvement and participation of the rural dwellers or the common folks in the determination and implementation of public politics
- To ascertain whether participation in politics by voting during election reflect as public politics
- To ascertain whether there is efficient representation and popular participation in politics in local government
- To ascertain whether local government politics encourage democratic freedom
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA
Political participation is the involvement of the citizens in the political system. Eakin cited in Adelekan (2010) described political participation as the process through which the individual plays a role in the political life of his society and has the opportunity to take part in deciding what common goals of the society are and the best way of achieving these goals. According to Akamare (2003) political participation is an aspect of political behaviour and it focuses on the way in which individuals take part in politics. It is a voluntary activity and one may participate directly or indirectly. The various ways by which the people can be involved in the political system include selection or election of political leaders, formulation of policies, community activities and other civic engagements. According to Awolowo and Aluko (2010), the essence of political participation in any society, either civilized or primitive, is to seek control of power, acquisition of power and to influence decision making. Political participation is a means of contributing ones quota to the political system and overall development of the nation. Political participation is one of the fundamental requirements of democratic governance. This is the reason why Adelekan (2010) emphasized that ideally, democracy means individual participation in the decisions that involves one’s life. In a democratic system, there is the necessity for the citizenry to be fully involved in the democratic procedures of the choice of rulers and effective communication of the public policies and attitudes. Any claim to democratic regime or state must essentially embrace a high degree of competitive choice, openness, and enjoyment of civic and political liberties and political participation that involves all groups of the society (Arowolo and Aluko, 2010). The extents to which people participate in the political system differ from person to person. Falade (2008) identified six types of political participants. These are: The inactive: These are the people that take no part in any .political activity Voting specialists: These are the people that get eagerly engaged only in voting. Besides voting, they are not concerned about other political activities. Parochial participants: These people participate in politics occasionally. They vote or get involved in any other political activity only when it affects their personal interest. The communalist: These are those who get engaged in voting regularly, they also get involved in community affairs but they are not involved in political campaign activities The campaigners: They are actively involved in political campaign but inactive in other community affairs. Complete activists: They are highly involved in all political activities. They actively participate in voting, political campaign, community activities and make contact with public officials. Some of the factors that determine political participation are: cultural, economic, political, religious and educational backgrounds of individuals. Also, the level of political awareness as well as the measure of confidence in the political process determines the extent to which the citizens participate in the political system. In Nigeria, politics is influenced by money, ethnic and religious factors. Since independence in 1960, religious and ethnic politics characterize electioneering process in Nigeria. This is the reason why Albert Legogie, former deputy Senate President, pointed out that it was clear from the trend of the election that there was a big gulf, a dichotomy between the north and the south and between Christians and Muslims (Adeyemo, 2011). For instance, during the post-presidential election violence in the Muslim dominated northern part of Nigeria, southerners and Christians were attacked and killed while many churches were burnt. Falade, (2007) expressed that politics in Nigeria is regarded as a dirty game and it is practiced with bitterness, hatred, rancor and other associated evils. The outcome of this is that Nigeria is in vicious cycle of political crises and instability. Deceit and unfulfilled promises by political leaders discouraged a number of Nigerians from participating in election and other political activities. Falade (2008) argued that politicians make series of promises during election campaign. Most of these promises are not fulfilled after they had been voted in to power. As a result of this, some voters loose interest in election. One of the respondents interviewed during the 2011 election expressed that “I have come to the sun to suffer even though I am not benefiting anything from the government…I don’t even have confidence in them because they have been failing us generally” (Adelakun, 2011). There is low level of political participation among the Nigerian citizens. Many Nigerians are indifferent in political matters. The INEC noted that Nigerians’ participation during the last general election in the 2011 was low. Only 35% of the 70 million registered voters took part in the election. The Friedrich Elbert Stiffing Foundation conducted a research on the 2011 election and identified lack of transparent elections, election violence and politicians’ noncommittal to their campaign promises as major reasons for voters’ apathy in the country (Odebode, 2011). The political apathy in Nigeria is based on the twin problems of ignorance and deliberate deception by some politicians. The consequence of this is the inability of the masses to have a link between their state of underdevelopment and their non participation in the electoral process (Fabiyi, 2010). In the light of this Falade (2007) concluded that the Nigerian political culture has not given room for the entrenchment and sustenance of true democracy. Awolowo and Aluko(2010) expressed that the low level of political participation of the Nigerian women is becoming alarming and disturbing. Since the emergence of political independence in 1960, the Nigerian women have remained invisible in the political process. The 1985 Beijing declaration to which Nigeria is a signatory provides that 30% of all positions in government should be given to women. This policy is yet to be implemented in Nigeria because there is a continuing trend of male domination of political and other public positions (Oloyede, 2004; Adelekan, 2010).The marginal involvement of African women in the political process results from the lingering inhibitive cultural and patriarchal forces against women’s engagement in politics that characterized African traditional societies (Chuku, 2009).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to local government: a platform for political participation
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on local government: a platform for political participation. 200 staff of Anambra East local government of Anambra State was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
Question 1
Gender distribution of the respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain local government: a platform for political participation
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 local government participation in politics
Summary
This study was on local government: a platform for political participation. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain whether grassroots democracy refers to the active involvement and participation of the rural dwellers or the common folks in the determination and implementation of public politics, to ascertain whether participation in politics by voting during election reflect as public politics, to ascertain whether there is efficient representation and popular participation in politics in local government, to ascertain whether local government politics encourage democratic freedom . In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of Anambra East local government of Anambra State. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up heads of deparment, counselors, senior staff and junior staff was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
There is low level of political participation in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are not committed to the electoral process and other political engagements. This study revealed that the Nigerian political system and act of governance do not encourage mass participation. This is because of the political culture of violence, intimidation, manipulation, sentiments, money politics, ignorance, corruption, deception and apathy that characterize the political system. There is marginal involvement of the Nigerian women in the political process. Cultural issues, domestic responsibilities, financial constraints and political indifference are some of the factors preventing women participation in politics. This study also showed that Nigerians do not have trust and confidence in their political leaders. Most political leaders were found to be selfish and not responsive to the needs of the citizens. Political leaders made promises that were never fulfilled after gaining political power. Democratic and responsible governance have not been entrenched into the Nigerian political system.
Recommendation
On the basis of the findings of this study it is recommended that there is urgent need for political education in Nigeria. Political education should not be limited to the school system. Both formal and informal approaches should be adopted to orientate the citizens on the need for active participation in the political system. There is the need for mass political enlightenment through the media, adult education programme and civil associations. The citizens should be conscious of the danger of their political apathy
REFERENCES
- Howard Elcock, Local Government Politicians, professionals and the public in Local Authorities (London, Methuen & Company Ltd, 1986), P.1. P.
- Stone, Local Government for Student (London, McDonald & Evans Ltd, 1963), p.1.
- Ibid., p. R.N. Gilchrist, Principles of political science (New York, Green & Co. Ltd, 1940), p.387.
- Mark Turner and David Hulme, Governance, Administration and Development (London, Macmillan Press Ltd,1997), p.152.
- Henry Sidgwick, The Elements of Politics (London, Macmillan, 1908), p.511.
- Mian Muhammad Jamil, Local Governments in LDCs: And some related issues (Lahore, Ferozsons Ltd, 1996), p.15.
- John. J. Clarke, Outlines of Local Government (London, Pitman & Sons, Ltd 1960), P.1.
- International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences (London, Collier, Macmillan Publishers, 1972), p.451. World Development Report 1999/2000 (Karachi, Oxford University Press, 1999),p.41.
- David Wilson and Chris Game, Local Government in the United Kingdom (London, The Macmillan Press Ltd, 1994), p.41.
- Francesco Kjellberg, “Changing values of Local Government,” in the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 540 (July,1995),p.42.
