The ‘Locals’ and Local Government Bureaucracy: Implication on the Attainment of Developmental Goals in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the exclusion of community representatives (locals), local traditional structures and values from the local government bureaucracy and its implication on attaining developmental goals in selected States in Nigeria. The study was situated within the ambits of the Weberian and Marxian bureaucratic theories to consider the subject matter and generate analysis. The study adopted the survey research design with a mixed-method approach to generate both primary and secondary data. Using the multi-stage sampling technique, a total number of nine electoral wards across the three states of Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers were covered. One thousand one hundred ninety (1,190) copies of a self-constructed questionnaire were administered in the study areas. The figure was arrived at with the use of the Taro Yamane method of calculation. Besides, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants in the selected states. Quantitative data were analysed using Spearman’s Rho Correlation Coefficient, while qualitative data were subjected to both thematic and descriptive methods of data analysis. It was found that community participation and the inclusion of traditional structures and values in the local government bureaucracy could enhance the attainment of developmental goals at the local government levels. It was recommended that the National and State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria amend existing local government laws to restructure the local government bureaucracy to include community representatives at the local government bureaucracies with traditional institutions given specific roles.