E I Okonmah

This study investigate the effect of intra-government relations on local government administration in Nigeria, with Oredo and Ovia North East Local Government Area as case study. The investigation was informed by the fact that the management of intergovernmental relations, especially state-local government relations, is among the most contested issues in the 1999 Constitution. The contention is made more complex by the letters of the Constitution which makes the institution of local government, especially its establishments, structure, composition, finance and functions, a residual matter for state government. Applying the
Systems Theory, the study explored the relationship between the state and local government councils, and how this affected the survival, independence, functions and conditions of existence of both tiers in a federal structure that is sub-system dominant. The methodology for the study covers both the primary and secondary sources of data collection. The analysis of primary data, elicited through interviews, was mainly descriptive and qualitative. Content analysis was used in the interpretation of secondary data. On the basis of data presented and analyzed, the following findings were made; the constitutional and legal framework guiding state-local government relations is not only skewed in favour of the state, it completely subjugates the institution of local government to the state government. Secondly, state institutions, agencies and commissions are used by the state government to exercise stringent control over local government functionaries. This study recommends, attitudinal change in the behaviour and conduct of those who operate the institutions of government at both state and local government levels. Both Federal and State governments have to include local government authorities in their programmes that affect rural development. In order words, decisions should not be composed on local Government.

This study investigate the ef ect of intra-government relations on local government administration in Nigeria, with Oredo and Ovia North East Local Government Area as casestudy. The investigation was informed by the fact that the management of intergovernmental relations, especially state-local government relations, is among the most contested issuesinthe 1999 Constitution. The contention is made more complex by the letters of the Constitutionwhich makes the institution of local government, especially its establishments, structure, composition, finance and functions, a residual matter for state government. ApplyingtheSystems Theory, the study explored the relationship between the state and local government councils, and how this af ected the survival, independence, functions and conditionsof existence of both tiers in a federal structure that is sub-system dominant. The methodologyfor the study covers both the primary and secondary sources of data collection. The analysisof primary data, elicited through interviews, was mainly descriptive and qualitative. Content analysis was used in the interpretation of secondary data. On the basis of data presentedandanalyzed, the following findings were made; the constitutional and legal framework guidingstate-local government relations is not only skewed in favour of the state, it completelysubjugates the institution of local government to the state government. Secondly, stateinstitutions, agencies and commissions are used by the state government to exercise stringent control over local government functionaries. This study recommends, attitudinal changeinthe behaviour and conduct of those who operate the institutions of government at bothstateand local government levels. Both Federal and State governments have to include local government authorities in their programmes that af ect rural development. In order words, decisions should not be composed on local Government.