Abstract: Several variables that are endemic in the fabrics of political arrangements in Nigeria tend to constitute road blocks to sustainable livelihoods in rural Nigeria. This study analysed the political factors affecting rural household livelihoods in Southeast Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study identified the predominant rural household livelihoods and analysed the political factors affecting rural household livelihoods in the study area. With the aid of a structured and validated interview schedule, data were collected from a sample size of 180 household-heads selected in the study area using a multistage sampling procedure. The statistical tools used in data analysis included mean, frequency, percentage and factor analysis. The result shows that the predominant rural household livelihoods in southeast Nigeria included crop farming (mean = 3.47), livestock farming (mean = 3.13), farm labour (mean = 2.84) and farm product processing (mean = 2.82), petty trading (mean =3.13), remittances from relatives (mean = 2.70) and civil service (mean = 2.58). The political factors affecting rural household livelihoods in the study area were lack of continuity in government development programmes (mean = 3.42), lack of government presence and attention in communities in terms of development projects (mean = 3.40), irresponsible lifestyle of elected representatives in government (mean = 3.42), poor targeting and miscarriage of government development programmes and policies (mean = 3.39), exploitative government policies such as unfavourable taxes, subsidy removal on farm inputs, land reforms etc (mean = 3.36), marginalisation of some communities in government affairs (mean = 3.24), lack of social welfare policies (mean = 3.28), insensitivity of government to the plight of people in communities (mean = 3.42), political upheavals (3.36). Factor analysis result showed 2 major social factor loadings affecting livelihood strategies of households in the study area as ineffective rural development implementation policy and inadequate social security policy. It is concluded that political factors affected rural household livelihood in Southeast Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that sustainable programmes on political reforms and value re-orientation should be carried out in Nigeria.
Keywords: Political factors; rural livelihoods, social security.
Title: Political Factors Affecting Livelihood Strategies of Rural Households in Southeast Nigeria
Author: Nwaogwugwu, O.N., Anaeto, F.
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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