Abstract:
The existence of local government is a universal political phenomenon. There is hardly any modern state that does not recognize and take into cognizance the need to have in place a system of government at the grass root level. Therefore the study examined the linkages between local government and local governance in Rivers State. Though local government and governance are not recent issue yet scholars have not interrogated properly how ambiguities in the 1999 constitution undermined local governance at the local government level in Rivers State and how the absence of good governance at the local government level undermine local governance in Rivers state. Moreover, the above underpinned the focused of the study. Meanwhile, the study made use of ex-post facto research design, documentary method of data collection and content method of data analysis, also, the study adopted the neo-Marxian theory of post-colonial state. However, the study noted that loopholes or lacunas which includes local government election, imposition of care taker committee, appointment of principal officers and financial autonomy have undermine governance at the local level in Rivers state. Again, the study observed that lack of good governance indicators in the management of the local government prevents the fostering of local governance. And that local government in Rivers state as well as in other part of the country are not accountable, do not encourage rural participation, neglect the rule of law, not transparent, not responsive to the local need, not consensus oriented, lacks equity/inclusiveness and effectiveness/efficiency. To this end, cannot transform or foster good governance in the rural areas Rivers State. To this end, the study recommended among others, the amendment of some sections of the 1999 constitution that contradicts local government political and financial autonomy, inserting the sole use of elections to elect local government officers and granting similar term of office for state and federal governments to local government, fostering good governance in the running of the local government in Rivers state.
