Citizens participation and local government responsiveness in Enugu State, Nigeria (2008-2015)

Abstract

Citizen participation entails transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, efficiency and effectiveness to enhance trust in governance through consultative and joint decision-making process in line with the wellbeing of citizens’. The paper portends that if citizens are allowed to partake in decision making, the system will respond satisfactorily to the collective preferences of its populace. Nigeria local governments are shrouded in secrecy without citizens’ involvement in government activities. The drivers of local authorities carryout their functions without any sense of loyalty, responsiveness, and accountability to people at the grassroots but to governors and godfathers in Nigeria with particular reference to Enugu state. Secondary source of data were consulted and content analysis were employed to determine the relevance of the materials, theories were used to explain the relationship of the variables. The paper recommends that Nigeria local government need a well democratic structure of local authorities to enhance citizen participation in governmental activities. There need to be some legal mechanism in place for elected officials to involve citizens in planning, execution, and evaluation of programmes and projects in their area. This will serve as a fertile ground for community leaders and traditional rulers to contribute their own quota for national development at the grassroots.