Finding Solutions to Legal Constraints Affecting the Operation of Local Governments in Nigeria

Abstract

Local governments in Nigeria like in other Countries operating the system are regarded as the third-tier level of government after the Central and Regional/State levels. In Nigeria, the 1999 Constitution as amended appears to have made this provision in the relevant sections but the same instrument and the operators have made the effective operation of this level of government impossible, one may say. But effective local government system would have made positive impact in the training of young politicians for greater roles in the future and bring grass root development to the people as well as help in the deepening of democracy in the country but for the constraints. This paper argues that time has come for these constraints to be removed to allow local authorities play their roles in the effective development of Africa's largest democracy.