Abstract: The 1976 Local Government Reforms in Nigeria birth the commencement of a landmark development in the history of local government in Nigeria. It brought with it uniformity which put an end to the decentralisation of local government before 1976. It was meant to make local government occupy its rightful position in local governance, thus it was enshrined in the 1979 constitution of the country. In spite of the constitutional provisions in the 1999 constitution for the existence and functions of local government, there have been serious debates as to the autonomy of Local Government in Nigeria. This paper therefore seeks to examine the autonomy of local governments under the Nigerian legal system with particular reference to the experience in the United States of America, India and Ghana. This paper examines the utility of the local government autonomy as a vehicle for redressing the overbearing powers of the state governments over local governments’ affairs in Nigeria. The paper contends that the growing demand for an autonomous local government system will help to strengthen the powers of local governments and consolidate them in achieving their objectives. The paper employs the doctrinal method of academic enquiry. The paper suggests that some of the provisions in the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria be amended and the lessons from the selected countries inculcated.
Keywords: Local Government, Autonomy, Separation of Power, Constitutional Democracy.
Title: Towards An Enhanced Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria’s Separation of Power: Lessons from Selected Constitutional Democratic Countries in the World
Author: ABDUL GHANIY ORIYOMI ANJORIN
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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