Digitally Signed by: Content manager’s Name

DN : CN = Weabmaster’s name

O= University of Nigeria, Nsukka

OU = Innovation Centre

Nwamarah Uche

Faculty of Arts

Department of History and International

Studies

The Growth and Development of Idemili North Local

Government Area, 1996-2010

NDUAGUBA, CYRIL CHIDIEBERE

PG/MA/2011/58453

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

TITLE: The Growth and Development of Idemili North Local

Government Area, 1996-2010

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF

ARTS (M.A.) HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, FACULTY OF

ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA.

BY

NDUAGUBA, CYRIL CHIDIEBERE

PG/MA/2011/58453

SUPERVISOR: DR. PAUL OBI-ANI

SEPTEMBER 2014

i

Title page

The Growth and Development of Idemili North Local Government Area, 1996-2010

ii

Approval Page

This project has been approved for the Department of History and International Studies

University of Nigeria, Nsukka for the award of Master of Arts (MA) in political history.

By

-------------------------------

Dr Paul Obi Ani

Supervisor

---------------------------------- -----------------------------

CBN Ogbogbo

External Examiner Dr Paul Obi Ani

Head of Department

iii

DEDICATION

TO MY PARENTS MR AND MRS ALBERT NDUAGUBA

iv

Abstract

Local government administration in Nigeria has witnessed significant changes. The core

of the reforms and development was to provide and bring government closer to the

people. No doubt, to achieve this, there is need for leaders with a visionary sense of

direction, who are willing to carry out purposeful programmes for the benefit of the

masses. These leaders must be willing to serve the people and selflessly put the people

ahead in their administration. The study of administration in Nigeria has received

commendable attention from scholars over the years and Idemili North Local

Government Area is one of the local governments that has reforms and changes in

administration. Just like any other local government, it has the capability to develop and

benefit its citizens. This study deals with the administration of Idemili North Local

Government Area from 1996-2010. Local government administration and its impact on

the people is obviously a factor to reckon on with in the history of political

administration in Nigeria. This is why a study of this nature is essential. Although the

local government was created by the military in 1996, it was not until the start of civilian

rule in 1999 that the core of its development process began. Such development in the

local government has revolved around the key sectors of agriculture, human

development, health, trade and transportation. This work thus is a contribution to the

history of Nigerian government administration albeit of the grassroot level. By adopting

both the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, this work examines the

various facets of administration of Idemili North LGA as well as the efforts of various

local chairmen at bringing development to the area. While narrating certain strides

v

made by the administrators, it also examines the administrative deficiencies of these

leaders as well as the factors that hindered full dividends of democracy in the local

government. The study adopts inter disciplinary approach and relied on oral interviews,

government documents, archival materials and relevant secondary text for information.

In the end, the work provides a launching pad for assessing grassroot administration and

development as well as opens up doors for further important but yet to be studied

areas of Idemili North LGA’s history.

vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

For a work of this nature, it is only reasonable to acknowledge with a deep sense

of gratitude certain influences that contributed to bring this project report to fruition.

Foremost among those deserving recognition is Almighty God who up till date has

preserved me alive and given me the wisdom and strength to carry on till this point.

I appreciate the Department of History and International Studies, University of

Nigeria, Nsukka for its kindly assistance throughout the duration of this work. My

supervisor and mentor, Dr Paul Obi-Ani deserves many plaudits: his calm nature,

composure, experience and intellectual exposure beautifully combined to ensure that I

received the best possible guidance throughout the duration of this work. He has always

made things look easy for me with his composure and guidance. His constructive

criticisms were instrumental to the work. Am happy I passed through your tutelage and

would ever remain grateful. Dr J. O Ahazum was like a father to me in the department.

Professors, J. O Ijoma, O. N. Njoku and U. C Anyanwu were able to accommodate my

deficiencies and contributed in no small measure in building me to be a good historian.

Dr. Egodi Uchendu, Dr. C.C Opata and Dr. A. A Apeh were all involved in my academic

training process right from my undergraduate years till now. I thank you all for your

kind contributions.

My friends in the Department needed special appreciation as their healthy

competition and encouragement helped in me a lot to this point. Worthy to mention are

Udevi Obiamaka, RichardMary Umike (Rev. Fr.) Odoh Samuel, Amarachi, Hero, Ifeanyi,

and a host of others. Alozie Bright, I cannot stop to appreciate you. I own you.

vii

To my parents, Mr and Mrs Albert Nduaguba, words can never fully express my

gratitude. God will continue to reward you. I will not forget my brothers and sisters:

kingsley, Lawretta, Ifeoma, Chinedu, Ndubuisi and Chijekwu for all their supports and

endurance towards my education. Jude Nduaguba, my brother from another mother,

you deserve special appreciation. God will bless you.

To all my friends and well wishers, I say thank you for your support. Nwobele

Ifeoma, God will reward you for your love and care. Udo diri mmadu nile. I am grateful

to the entire staff of Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, Chinua Achebe Library Ogidi

and Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka for all their support. To those

that granted me interview despite their tight schedules I am also grateful. To you,

Kenneth Ugwu I am grateful for proofreading the work.

viii

List of Abbreviations

ANSIEC - Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission

APF - Anambra People’s Front

ATR - African Traditional Religion

CBOs - Community Based Organizations

ECCE - Early Child Care Education

INEC - Independent National Electoral Commission

LGA - Local Government Area

NGO - Non-governmental organization

PTA-Parent-Teachers- Association

ix

LIST OF TABLE

Table 1: Major Markets in Anambra state by LGAs

Table 2: Anambra state annual population projection by LGAs

Table 3: Idemili North Local Government Chairmen and their Tenures

Table 4: Towns in the LGA and numbers of primary schools therein.

Table 5: 2009 recurrent expenditure in Anambra state LGAs.

Table 6; 2010 Anambra state revenue by LGAs.

x

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• TITLE PAGE - - - - - - - i

• APPROVAL PAGE - - - - - - - ii

• DEDICATION - - - - - - - - iii

• ABSTRACT - - - - - - - - iv

• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS - - -- - - - - vi

• LIST OF MAPS - - - - - - - -

• LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS - - -- - - - viii

• LIST OF TABLES - - - - - - - ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

• Background to the study - - - -- - - 1

• Statement of the problem - - - - -- - 4

• Theoretical framework - - - - - - 5

• Purpose of study - - - - - - - 6

• Significance of study - - - - - - 6

• Scope of study - - - - - - - - 7

• Review of literature - - - - - - - 7

• Sources, methodology, and organization - - - - 12

• Notes - - - - - - - - - 14

CHAPTER TWO: The Establishment and Structure of Idemili North LGA - 17

xi

• Idemili North LGA: an overview - - - - - - 17

• Notes - - - - - - - - - 28

CHAPTER THREE: SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN IDEMILI NORTH

LGA UP TO 1999 - - - - - - - - 30

• Social Developments - - - - - - - 30

• Political Developments - - - - - - 37

• Economic Developments - - - - - - 38

• Notes - - - - - - - - - 42

CHAPTER FOUR: DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY 1999-2002 - - - 45

• Structure of Idemili North LGA, 1999-2002 - - - - 46

• The role of the Councilors - - - - - - 48

• Administrative programme of the administration, 1999-2002 - 49

• Idemili North LGA during the initial Democratic years,1999-2002 - 53

• Notes - - - - - - - - - 62

CHAPTER FIVE: QUASI-DEMOCRACY in the LGA, 2002-2010 - - - 65

• The concept of Quasi-democracy - - - - - 65

• Administrative Arrangement/structures, 2002-2010 - - - 66

• Idemili North LGA under Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju 2002-2003 - 70

• Idemili North LGA under Governor Chris Ngige, 2003-2006 - - 73

• Idemili North LGA under Governor Peter Obi, 2006-2010 - - 75

• Notes - - - - - - - - - 82

xii

CHAPTER SIX: Conclusion - - - - - - - 84

• Notes - - - - - - - - - 88

Sources and Bibliography - - - - - - - 89

Primary Sources - - - - - - - - 89

Oral interviewers (See Appendix 1)

Archival Materials - - - - - - - - 89

Official Government Documents - - - - - - 89

Secondary sources - - - - - - - - 91

Books - - - - - - - - - - 91

Journal Articles - - - - - - - - 93

xiii

Map of Anambra State Showing study area.

Source: Cartography Department of National Population Commission Anambra

State.

xiv

Map of Idemili North

Source: cartography Department National Population Commission Anambra State.

1

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Background to the Study

Local government administration in Nigeria exists to fill a gap which the national

government is too remote to fill. It tries to bring the dividends of government closer to

the people at the grassroots. Local governments over the years have gone through

various reforms and developments. As a tier of government, Nigerian local governments

have left a mark in history not because of its efficiency and effectiveness but because of

the many and varied changes it brought in its wake in Nigeria. Idemili North LGA is

undoubtedly an integral part of administration at grassroot level.

The evolution and development of modern local government in Nigeria could be

traced back to the British colonial era. Due to the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, the

British merged different regions of the country for easy and “efficient” administration.

The North had good administrative machinery upon which the British grafted an

effective local government structure.1 A series of ordinances set up a definite pattern of

local government based on the Native Authority System in the North that allowed the

Emirs, among other things, to pay officials and impose taxes on the people. In the East,

the story was a little different as indirect rule was imposed, but “the Aba Women Riot of

1929 exposed the short-comings of the indirect rule system in the East and led to radical

review of the system.”2 In 1950, the British system of local government was introduced

in the East with the Eastern Region Local Government Ordinance. In 1952, the West

2

followed suit.3 It was not until 1954 that the North absorbed elected members into the

native administration following pressure from the “young elements.”4

After Nigeria regained her independence in 1960, the federal government of

Nigeria, adopted different forms of local government as respective regions became

responsible for the structures, legislation and operation of local government under their

jurisdiction. It was in 1976, that the Federal Military Government led by General

Olusegun Obasanjo reformed the local government system. As expected, “the 1976

reform established a uniform single tier, all-purpose local council throughout the

country.”5 After The Reform, the 1976 and subsequently the 1999 Constitutions gave

local governments legal backing. The provisions of the Constitution made clear of the

relationship between state government and local government on the one hand and the

federal government on the other hand. The constitution also spelt out categorically the

responsibilities of local government, thus making local government a “constitutional

expression.”6 Local government created was to cater for the social needs and

aspirations of those at the grassroots and would be “judged by its success in providing

such services.”7 In spite of the enormous reforms and impact of Idemili North LGA on

the people of the area, there has been no detailed historical account of the growth and

development in the LGA.Thus, the need for this research on Idemili North LGA of

Anambra State from 1996 – 2010.

What exists as Idemili North LGA was part of Idemili LGA until October 1st

, 1996

during General Sani Abacha’s regime, when the local government was split into two to

form Idemili North and Idemili South LGA. The name Idemili was derived from Idemili

3

river. The river has its source from Agulu Lake in Aniocha LGA and it flows through most

communities in the area. Idemili river flows into River Niger at Iyi-Owa in Onitsha.8 From

October 1, 1996, Idemili North became one of the twenty-one local government

councils in Anambra state. Ogidi community which was headquarters of Idemili LGA still

retains her status in the present Idemili North LGA. Idemili North LGA is bounded in the

North by Oyi LGA, in the South by her sister LGA, Idemili South, in the East by Njikoka

LGA and in the West by Onitsha North LGA. Ten communities make up the local

government namely: Abacha, Abatete, Eziowelle, Ideani, Nkpor, Obosi, Ogidi, Oraukwu,

Uke, and Umuoji.9 “These communities are linked by ancestral and cultural ties.”

10 The

local government has twelve political wards. Each community has one except for Ogidi

and Umuoji communities that have two apiece.

Idemili North LGA occupies an expense of land of about 43.756 square

kilometers. According to the 2006 census, the population of the local government stood

at 431,005, of which, 219,223 were male while 211,782 were female.11

The local

government constitutes about 10.30 percent of the total number of inhabitants in

Anambra state.12

Increase in population is alluded to the local government’s proximity

to the commercial city of Onitsha and Anambra state policy in the last decade, to

decongest Onitsha. With that, some markets have been transferred to some

communities in the local government. These include, the Electrical Spare Parts market

now located at Obosi, the Building Material market now at Ogidi, the Bakery Material

partly located in Ogidi and Ogbuike (Ogbuike is in Oyi LGA). There are other markets like

the New Motor Spare Parts Market in Nkpor, the Old Motor Spare Parts in Nkpor and

4

Obosi. Apart from these major markets, each community that forms part of the local

government has their own local markets that have continued to serve their needs and to

assist inter-group relations. The major markets in Idemili North are also a source of

revenue generation which if properly utilized could have gone a long way in fostering

development. “Rural-urban migration”13

has made workers, traders and artisans reside

in some of the communities like Nkpor, Obosi, Ogidi and Umuoji, where they commute

to their various business areas.

There is no doubt that there are avenues for development in Idemili North LGA.

Hence, this work sets out to analyses the overall performance of the administrators of

the LGA and examines how their administration had either speed up or derailed

development in the area from 1996 up to 2010.

Statement of the Problem

The success of a local government is basically measured by how far the leaders

are willing to commit themselves to the welfare and well being of the populace. Like any

other LGA, Idemili North was created to cater for the needs of the people at the

grassroot level. The LGA leaders have the responsibility of making sure that the needs of

the people are met. Research into the history of administrations in Nigeria especially at

the grassroot level therefore becomes essential especially given the fact that when it

comes to local government administration in Idemili North LGA, few studies have been

carried out. More so, there is a need to appraise how willing the leaders were able to

utilize resources at their disposals to bring about any meaningful development in the

area. To that end, certain questions are raised: were these leaders selfless or selfish?

5

Did the leaders have a willingness to serve? How did pattern of administration differ

from one administrator to the other and what levels of development, if any was carried

out by the different leaders? These issues underpin the problem of the study.

Theoretical Framework

The study is anchored on the modern world system theory. Proposed by

Immanuel Wallerstein in 197414

the world system theory maintains that the system is

composed internally of variety of social structures and member groups with a set

boundaries and a definable lifespan. Wallerstein defined the system as held together by

a variety of forces that are inherent tension. These forces have the potential of tearing

the system apart. He argued that one type of world-system- the modern capitalist

economy relies on economic domination whereby operate political entities absorb

whatever losses occur, while economic gain is distributed to few private Lords.15

The

core geographical areas dominates and exploits the rest of the system. The periphery

consists of those areas that provide raw materials to the core and are heavily exploited

by it. The semi periphery is residual category that encompasses a set of regions

somewhere between the exploiting and exploited.

The world-system theory can aptly be applied to the study of local government

administration in Idemili North LGA during the period of study. For one thing, member

group of communities comprising the LGA form a system. These villagers have been held

together by some forces, most notably, the political force. This force in the study will

soon show here created tensions both at the top among the ruling elites and below

6

among the masses. In the end, there socio-political forces have prevented radical and

meaningful development to occur and seemingly tore the system apart. More so, the

political domination of the elected chairmen by the state governors that appointed the

various caretaker committee chairmen have led to an increase level of exploitation. The

periphery, masses, do not benefit maximally but rather exploited for economic gains.

The appointed caretaker committee chairmen appear to be the semi-periphery served

as the link between the exploited (Idemili North LGA citizens) and the exploiting (the

state governors who appointed them). As would be shown from the work, this system

yielded no positive result as the entrenched pattern of exploitation even clouded any

trace of development by these administrators. Worse still, the forces in control tore the

local government administration system apart.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of this work is to historize local government administration in

Idemili North LGA from 1996-2010. It examines how various local government chairmen

administered the LGA and analyzes their achievement during the tenure of their

administration. It also assesses the achievements to the end of determining whether

they impacted positively or negatively.

Significance of Study

This study bears a measure of significance. First, the study will enhance our

knowledge of the nature of administration at grassroot level particularly in Idemili North

LGA and conclusions reached can serve as a springboard for good leadership at the state

level and federal government level. The study will inspire further research on local

7

government administration in other local governments in Nigeria while playing a vital

role in stimulating future academic discourses as findings will be meaningful to

historians, sociologists, political scientists, administrators and analysts as well. Also, the

study will serve both as a reference document for researchers and as a contribution to

local government administration, hence adding to the existing literature on Nigerian

political history.

Scope of the Study

The study covers the period 1996-2010. 1996 was a landmark in that it was when

Idemili North LGA was created. The year 2010 was chosen as the termination date

because it marks the end of Governor Peter Obi’s first tenure in office. The focus is on

Idemili North LGA which includes the following communities: Abacha, Abatete,

Eziowelle, Ideani, Nkpor, Obosi, Ogidi, Oraukwu, Uke and Umuoji. The various

administration of the local government chairmen are considered in the study also. These

local government chairmen are Tony Ezike (October 1996-March 1997), J.C Omekagu

(March 1997-July 1998), Emma Ike (July 1998- April 1999), Okey Muo Aroh (May, 1999-

May, 2002), Edwin Ekwuino (June, 2002- Oct. 2002), Nikky Nwabueze (Nov.2002-Feb

2003), Ben Mozie (March, 2003-May, 2003), Uche Ezediorah (June, 2003-May, 2006),

Emeka Akabueze (May, 2006-March, 2007), Amaechi Ekwume (April,2007-July, 2007),

John Obodzie (Aug.2007-July,2008), Frank Mabuike (Aug. 2008-July,2011)

Review of Literature

Tony Onyishi (Ed.) in Key Issues in Local Government and Development: A

Nigerian perspective16

discusses historical development of local government system in

8

Nigeria. The work is a good source material for this study as it offers conceptual

explanations of local government viz-a-viz development. It also evaluates the various

plans and programmes at the local government level aimed to bolster growth and

development. Although the author presented a panoramic view of local government,

the work is important in laying the foundation for an elementary understanding of the

concept of local government and its practice in Nigeria. The work also falls short in

discussing specific local government administrations; hence the present study will

consider a specific case study of the Idemili North LGA

F.C. Okoli’s Theory and Practice of Local Government: A Nigerian Perspective,17

discusses the theoretic of local government in Nigeria as well as its practice. It generally

gives a history and function of local government in Nigeria. Like the earlier work, it is

merely a general overview of local government administration in Nigeria. Beyond

theory, the present study narrows its concern to the practice of local government

administration in Idemili North.

Similarly, Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Current Problems and

Future Challenges18

articulates the problems of local government in Nigeria and the

efforts of state and federal government interference on the development of local

government system. This work is useful in understanding the factors militating against

development of LGA. The work however focuses only on problems and challenges of

local government administration in Nigeria. The present study will expand its concern to

include history, problems and possible solutions of local government administration in

Nigeria with specific emphasis on Idemili North LGA.

9

Government at Grassroots19

edited by E.J. Otagburuagu examines leadership at

the grassroots, sources of income to the local government, and so on. Though the work

does not focus on Idemili North LGA in particular, it is relevant to the present study

especially in the area of income generation. E.C. Nwankwo’s work Local Government in

Practice20

explains in details problems facing local government administrators in Nigeria

in general. Handbook of Local Government Administration21

edited by John J. Gorgan is

an overview of the principles and applications of government administration and

management practices in local government sector. The effect of environment on the

performance of local government administrators is of great relevance to this work.

These works fall short in discussing specific local government administration in Nigeria.

The present study covers this gap by examining the Idemili North LGA as a case study.

Governance and Economic Development in the Fourth Republic22

edited by

Terhemba, Wnam and M. S. Talla, discusses on community development and the need

to utilize the local government, as veritable tools for rural development. It also

examines the justification for local government existence and how politics and

politicians had hindered development and dividends associated with local government

administration especially during the Fourth Republic. The work would be useful in

understanding political developments in Idemili North LGA in the Fourth Republic.

R. C. Obi in his book, Understanding Local Government Administration in

Nigeria23

discusses major historical and development prospects in the practices of local

government in Nigeria. However, the work falls short to consider the changes local

10

government administration brought on a specific local government and its implication to

their socio-political and economic growth. This study strives to cover the gap.

Ebonyi Ozor’s work- Third Tier Government in Nigeria: Evolution, Development,

Future24

examines the evolution and development of local government in Nigeria from

pre-colonial times. The work also discusses the future of Nigerian local government

system especially after the 1976 Local Government Reform. This work is useful for its

evolutional development of local government of which Idemili North LGA is a part of.

E.E. Akpan’s work, Principles and Practice of Local Government25

gives a general

account of local government in the then Eastern Nigeria and the need for improvement.

The work explains the purpose and factors for establishing a local government, the

functions which local governments perform and their sources of revenue. The work

provides concrete insight into the estimated expenditure made in the then Eastern

Nigeria between 1960 and 1961. The work falls short though in its scope of coverage as

it deals basically with First Republic politics and governance. The present study narrows

its focus to the Fourth Republic local government administration.

In work State Government26

by F.G. Bates et al, local government is seen as an

extension of the state government. According to the authors, the functions of state and

local governments overlap because of the relationship between the two. The dual

purpose of local government as stated in chapter seventeen is to serve as an area of self

government and as an administrative district of the state. Findings from this work

assisted the present study in determining the nature of how such relationship could be

applied to Idemili North LGA However the work dwells on the link between government

11

at state and local level. Despite being of help, the present study focuses on how this

relationship between the state and local governments affected Idemili North LGA.

Government at the Grassroots level in Nigeria27

edited by E.A.O. Oyeyipo and Odoh

Adejo sees local government as an instrument for rural development; the work also

expresses the need to improve local government for greater development.

Nevertheless, the panoramic views on some local governments create need for this

study.

Aliyu Abubaka’s work, The Role of Local Government in Social, Political and

Economic Development in Nigeria 1976 – 197928

highlights the roles of local government

in development of the country after the Local Government Reform of 1976 up to 1979.

With the background in mind, there is a need for the present study 1996-2010 as to see

continuity in local government development especially after the creation of Idemili

North LGA. The roles which local governments are supposed to perform would be useful

to the present study.

M. Atakpa et al in their study “Analysis of Options for Maximizing Local

Government Internally Generated Revenue for Nigeria.”29

discuss in detail the various

options for maximizing revenue generation and the problems of exploiting the various

source of revenue generation in Nigeria. The study suggests feasible and pragmatic ways

of maximizing internal revenue generation in Nigeria local governments. The work is

panoramic thus the need for the present study by studying the various sources of

revenue to Idemili North LGA.

12

In the work A Survey of the Igbo Nation,30

some contributors to the work namely,

F.C. Okafor and T.O. Okoye discuss the Igbo in the changing world. For them,

urbanization was partly caused by contact with Western civilizations. Thus development

is viewed as a narrative concept synonymous with improvement, the changes in spatial

organization of the neat Igbo rural living diffused city wards with positive elements of

modern cities such with streets and routes ways. It is deducted from the work that

proper planning and contacts changed aspects of Igbo rural settlements.

Egodi Uchendu et al31

examines the concepts of leadership and followership in

Africa. The work also looks at leadership values, perspective on leadership and

developments in Africa. The work’s assessment of leadership and developments in

Africa was of great value to the present writer. The panoramic view of leadership and

development of the work gives room to the present study. Chinua Achebe’s work32

is a

good source material for this study. The work concluded that Nigeria’s backwardness is

a problem of leadership and not necessary the environment or form of government

being practiced. The work though panoramic leaves out the specific detail of local

government administration and leadership in Nigeria thus the need to study Idemili

North LGA to examine if enthroning quality leadership at the local government level

would serve as a spring board for good leadership at state and federal government

levels.

Sources, Methodology and Organization

The study is drawn from primary and secondary sources. Oral source constitute

the bulk of the material from which the work is derived and the primary source used.

13

Informants are drawn from the ten communities in the research area and spread across

different geographic and occupational interest. Attention was paid to informants who

could give information that could be fairly reliable, based on their experiences. Most of

the informants were involved in the changes and continuity in Idemili North LGA. Other

primary sources include records in the National Archives Enugu such as, intelligence

reports on old Idemili LGA. These did not adequately address the needs of the subject of

the study. Secondary sources include published and unpublished books, Journals and

other texts relating to local government, Idemili North, development and leadership.

Various academic libraries were also visited among them were Chinua Achebe Library at

Idemili North LGA and department of political science library Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Akwa.

The research is approached thematically and chronologically and combines

description with analysis of various data. Thus, qualitative and quantitative research

methodology would be applied in the course of the work. The qualitative research

methodology seeks to build on largely narrative description to inform the researcher’s

understanding of an event. It relies heavily on content analysis of oral histories,

interviews, reports and records to describe and explain the period of local government

administration in Idemili North LGA. On the other hand, qualitative research

methodology draws on empirical data and fact by making use of figures, charts,

numbers and statistic to valid ate or represents a historical event. Given the nature of

the study both methods were employed extensively.

14

The work is organized in six chapters. Chapter one is the introductory chapter,

comprising among other sub-themes, the purpose of the study, significance and

methodology employed. Chapter two discusses the establishment of the local

government. The third chapter examines Idemili North up to 1999, as well as pre-

democratic activities that have been on up to 1999 when civil rule was restored in

Nigeria following protracted years of military rule. Chapter four looks at the dividends of

democracy 1999-2002. Chapter five discusses Idemili North under quasi-democracy

2002-2010, during which appointed local government chairmen held sway. Chapter six is

the conclusion.

15

END NOTES

1. F. C. Okoli, Theory and Practice of Local Government; A Nigerian Perspective,

(Enugu: John Jacob’s Classic Publishers Ltd, 2000) 34.

2. E. E. Akpan, “The Development of Local Government in Eastern Nigeria” in

Journal of Local Administration Overseas. Vol. iv, No 2 April, 1965, pp 118-127,

see also Harry A. Gailey, The Road to Aba, (London: University of London Press,

1971) Chapters 1-3 and 7.

3. F. C. Okoli “Three Decades of Local Government Reforms in Anambra State of

Nigeria. A Catalogue of Hopes and Illusions” in Ikenga: Journal of African Studies,

(vol. 5 no1, 1981) 77.

4. F. C. Okoli “Three Decade of Local Government….77

5. F. C. Okoli, Theory and Practices…. 36.

6. O. E. Ezeani, Local Government Administration, (Enugu: Zik-Chuks Printing Press,

2004) v.

7. O. E Ezeani, Local Government…. 40

8. E. A. Okudo, 71 years, retired civil servant, interviewed at Ogidi on October 18th,

2012.

9. See map.

10. M. U. Okonkwo Etusi, 72 years, traditional ruler of Eziowelle Community

interviewed at his palace in Eziowelle on November 14, 2012.

11. Information gotten from National Population Commission of Nigeria website,

www.citypopulation.com assessed on October 14, 2012.

16

12. Grace Amobi, 55 years, women leaders, interviewed at Awka on November 8th,

2012.

13. A. E. Afigbo , “The Eastern Province, under colonial Rule” in O. Ikime (Ed)

Groundwork of Nigerian History (Ibadan: Heinemann, 1980) 423.

14. See Immanuel Wallestein, The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and

the Origin of the European World-Economy in the 18th

Century, (New York:

Academic press, 1974).

15. George Ritzer, Sociological Theory

16. Tony Onyishi (Ed) Key Issues in Local Government and Development: A Nigerian

Perspective, (Enugu: Praise House Publishers, 2011).

17. F. C. Okoli, Theory and Practice of Local Government, A Nigerian perspective

(Enugu: John Jacob’s Classic Publishers Ltd, 2000).

18. Ikejiani-Clark, et al, (Ed) Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Current

Problems and Future Challenges, (Lagos: Mangrove Publishers, 1995).

19. E. J. Otagburuagu, et al (Ed). Government at the GrassRoot. (Enugu: Benak

Ventures, 2010).

20. E. C. Nwakwo, Local Government in Practice, (Port Harcourt: De Victory Printers,

2001).

21. J. J. Gorgan (Ed) Handbook of Local Government Administration (USA: Taylor and

Francis, 1996).

22. W. Terhemba, and N.S Talla, (ed) Governance and Economic Development in

the Fourth Republic (Nigeria: Aboki Publishers, 2010).

17

23. R. C. Obi, Understanding Local Government Administration in Nigeria (Amaobia:

Mike and Michson Printing Press 2004).

24. Ebonyi Ozor, Third-tier Government in Nigeria Evolution, Development, Future,

(Ibadan: University Press, 2003).

25. E. E. Akpan, Principles and Practices of Local Government, (Enugu: The Eastern

Nigeria Printing Corporation, 1962).

26. F. G. Bates and P.F. Oliver, State Government, (New York: Harper and Brother

Publishers, 1939).

27. E. A. O. Oyeyipo and Odoh Adejo (Ed) Government at the Grassroots Level in

Nigeria, (Nigeria: Department of Local Government Studies, Management,

Research and Consultancy, Institution of Administration, Ahmadu Bello

University, 1980).

28. Aliyu Abubaka, The Role of Local Government in Social, Political and Economic

Development in Nigeria, (Nigeria: Department of Local Government Studies,

Management, Research and Consultancy, Institute of Administration, Ahmadu

Bello University, 1980).

29. M. Atakpa, “Analysis of Options for Maximizing Local Government Internally

Generated Revenue” in International Journal of Learning and Development,

(USA: Macrothink Institution, vol. 2, No.6. 2012).

30. G. E. K. Oformatah (Ed) A Survey of Igbo Nation (Onitsha: African First Publishers

Ltd, 2002).

18

31. Egodi Uchendu et al (Ed) Perspectives on Leadership in Africa, (Nsukka: Afro-

Orbis Publication Ltd, 2010).

32. Chinua Achebe, The Trouble with Nigeria, (Ibadan: Heinemann, 1983).

19

CHAPTER TWO

The Establishment and Structure of Idemili North LGA

Introduction

A local government area is established basically as a pivot for socio-economic

and political development of the said area. They are to provide social services such as

maintenance of roads, streets, provision of dispensaries, clinic, primary schools and so

on.1 It is the tier that is closest to the people therefore, the establishment of Idemili

North LGA in 1996 was to perform some vital roles in the areas of societal development.

Basically, each local government is to be administered by a Local Government Council.

The Council is to be made up of elected (under special circumstance appointed)

Chairman who is the Chief Executive of the local government, and other elected

members referred as Councilors. This chapter will examine social, economic and political

developments in some communities of Idemili North LGA as well as the local

government structure which varied over time and the reasons for it.

Idemili North LGA: An Overview

As already stated in chapter one, what exist as Idemili North LGA was part of

defunct Idemili LGA. An informant, Mr. M.E Akabueze, stated that the defunct Idemili

local government area was made up of seventeen communities.2 On October 1st, 1996,

General Sani Abacha’s military regime envisaged the need to bring government closer

to the people and it created six more states and one hundred and eighty three local

government areas. Thus, Idemili LGA was split into two: Idemili North LGA and Idemili

20

South LGA. This brought to a total of thirty six states, seven hundred and forty four local

government areas in the country.

In pre- colonial period, leadership in most communities in Idemili North LGA was

purely gerontocratic. The oldest surviving male held the family ofo (symbol of authority).

He combined temporal and spiritual leadership for the respect and loyalty of every

member of the family, young and old alike. Succession was purely on age-merit rather

than by affluence or physical strength. Isichei rightly pointed out that

Perhaps the most universal institution was the role of the family head.

He was the oldest man of the oldest surviving generation in the family…

And commanded respects and reverence because he controlled channel

of communication with the ancestors3

Family disputes were always settled at the palace of the eldest male survivor, who

presided over all deliberations among the assembly of male adults in the family. Matters

that eluded peaceful solutions in the family were transferred to the village or general

assembly of the clan. In fact, G. I. Jones rightly observed that “every man had a right to

attend these meetings and to approve or disapprove of decisions arrived at ….”4 Justice

was also entrusted with the titled men. Jones also confirmed this when he wrote that

“… all cases were heard by the ndi nze.”5

Most communities in Idemili North LGA have socio-cultural similarities with their

neighbours especially those from Idemili South LGA. They speak the same language and

share similar festivals. They also have (eke) python as a common totem. The importance

of eke in Idemili North LGA needs not detain us here but suffice it to state that the

people of Idemili saw (eke) python as a representative of their deity and custodian of

their culture and tradition. Killing it attracts serious consequences like death. Most

21

people in Idemili North LGA are predominantly traders, farmers and artisans. Quite a

number are government workers. Even at that, they still engage in some sort of trade

like other Igbo people. They had great commercial acumen which is even noticed today.

Their aggressive enthusiasm in trade has carried them to all corners of Nigeria. They

were, during the early trading days, likened to what Moor would call “the scots in their

crazy financial transactions and ability to turn penny-penny in their direction.”6 The

peoples are known for their mercantile activities.7 This is in line with the views

expressed by Arthur Nwankwo that the behaviour of a people is a direct output of the

environment in which they find themselves.8 Most youths in the LGA some even

without completing secondary education, are engaged in commercial business. Other

reasons were, the fall in the standard of education and the increase in unemployment

after university education. These scared most youths in the area from making a career

via education. More notably was the government of Anambra state policy in the last two

decades to decongest the commercial city of Onitsha. This made the people of the area

to embrace commercial business. Some sections of Onitsha market were relocated to

some communities in the local government. These included, the electrical parts market

which was relocated to Obosi, Building Material International Market relocated to

Ogidi, the Bakery Material Market partly located in Ogidi and Ogbunike (Ogbunike is in

Oyi Local Government Area). Other markets in the local government area included the

New Motor Spare Parts Market in Nkpor, old Motor Spare Parts in Nkpor and Obosi.

Each community in the local government has their own local markets where they sell

their farm produce and local crafts. These markets facilitated healthy intergroup

22

relations as buyers and sellers from different villages interacted for trade and

commercial purposes. Also, through levies and fines, these markets served as sources

of local government revenue.

Table 1: Some local major markets in LGA in Anambra State.

LGA

DISTANCE

FROM LGA

TO STATE

HQ (km)

NAMES OF MAJOR MARKET & THEIR SPECIAL DAYS

MARKET MARKET MARKET

ONE DAYS(S) TWO DAYS(S) THREE DAY(S)

Aguata 20.00 Nkwo Igbo Daily Eke Ewuluobia Eke Oye Uga Oye

Anambra

East

0.00 Otuocha

mkt

Daily Nando mkt Daily Enugu-Out Daily

Anambra

West

0.00 Anaku Eke Omor Ifite-Ogwari

Aniocha 0.00 Nkwo Agulu Nkwo Neni Oye Adazi-

Nnukwu

Eke

Awka

North

0.00 Achalla Oye Eke Agb-Isu Eke Mgbakwu Nkwo

Awka

South

0.00 Eke Awka Daily Timber mkt Daily Amawbia Eke

Ayamelu

m

0.00 Eke Anaku Eke Omor Ifite-Igwari

Dunukofi

a

0.00 Oye Ukpo Oye Afor-Igwe Daily Afor-

Umunachi

Daily

Ekwusigo 0.00 Nkwo

Ozulogu

Nkwo Oye Ozubulu Oye Eke-Ichi Eke

Idemili

North

0.00 Afor Nkpo Afor Afor Adike

Obosi

Afor Eke Uke Eke

Idemili

South

0.00 Afor Nnobi Daily Afor Oba Daily Eke Awka-

Etite

Daily

Ihiala 0.00 Okija mkt Nkwo Isseke mkt Afor Ihala mkt Nkwogh

e

Njikoka 0.00 Abagana

mkt

Oye Agu Nimo mkt Oye Enugu-Ugwu Nkwo

Nnewi

North

0.00 Nkwo mkt Daily Eke Daily Oye Daily

Nnewi

South

0.00 Afor mkt Daily Amichi mkt Eke Eke Utuh Daily

Ogbaru 0.00 Atani Afor Agbaru Main mkt Relief Daily

Onitsha 0.00 Main mkt Main Daily Ose Daily Ogbo-Oye Daily

23

North

Onitsha

South

0.00 Ochanja Daily Bridgehead Daily

Orumba

North

0.00 Ufuma mkt Afor Nanka Afor Awgbu Eke

Ourmba

South

0.00 Umunze

mkt

Nkwo Ogboji mkt Afor

Oyi 0.00 Awkuzu Nkwo Nteje Eke-IG Oye-Olisa Oye

Source: 2009 Anambra State Statistical Yearbook

Various communities of Idemili North LGA are known for their rich cultural

heritage and festival. Predominant among these festivals are Mmanwu (Masquerade)

and New Yam festivals. New yam festival was called different names by most

communities in the local government area. The people of Obosi called it ofala or iwa ji,

Eziowelle called it iwa ji or ilo mmo, Abatete called it awam ji, Ogidi called it nwafor and

so on. The origin of iwa ji is hard to trace. In the various communities of Idemili North

LGA, yam is a respected crop. For one thing, it is a major crop cultivated by the people.

For another, a man’s wealth, especially during the pre- colonial era, could be

determined by the size of his oba ji (yam barn). In fact, European observers highlighted

the sacredness of yam among the Igbo people in their reports. One observer noted how

sacrifices were always offered to the earth goddess ‘Ala’ by the priest of ‘Ala’ before

farmers embarked on cultivation of yam9 As stated earlier, the status of yam explains

the reason for death sanction placed against the stealing of yam in communities that

made up Idemili North LGA especially during the pre colonial and colonial era.

Iwa ji was an annual event for communities in Idemili North. It was performed

to herald the harvesting and eating of ji ofuu (new yam). But, the celebration, date and

sacrifices performed during iwa ji festival differed among these communities and

24

villages. In Obosi, ofala or iwa ji was a four day ceremony. Day one was for Ikpa onumu

where ndi isi mmuo (priest/ custodian of culture) carried out necessary rituals that were

pertinent to the New Yam Festival, sacrifices were offered to ala deities in appreciation

for life, good harvest and protection. The second day was for lectures, talks. Prominent

people in Igboland were invited to lecture on the importance of New Yam Festival, Igbo

tradition and culture. Day three saw the traditional ruler (Eze Iweka) officially perform

the Ofala/iwa ji in the gathering of the community. The traditional ruler with roast yam,

prayed for bountiful harvest, peace, unity and love to reign in the community. He cut

the yam, dipped it in palm oil and ate it. This act was to declare that new yam was

indeed ready to eat. The roast yams were first distributed to children before being given

to adults. In Obosi, it was believed that the hallmark of cultivating yam was to feed the

children, hence, the distribution to children before adults. The fourth day was for Ndi

Ichie, Nze na Ozo and the entire community to celebrate and eat new yam amidst

wrestling and cultural dances by the villagers.

How the people of Eziowelle perform and celebrate their Iwa ji festival differed

from that of Obosi people. These differences did not undermine the significance and

purpose of New Yam Festival rather it connotes differences in human understanding

and uniqueness of each community. Eziowelle’s iwa ji was a yearly event and was

celebrated on a Saturday and Sunday in September that must be on Eke and Afor

market day. (Locally referred by the people as Saturday Uka Afor). The choice of Eke and

Afor market days was shrouded in mysteries. On the eke market day, the people

assembled at Owelle’s (king) palace where the Owelle with roast yam, prayed for

25

bountiful harvest, peace, unity and love to reign in the community. He cut the yam and

eat. Then he distributed it first to titled men and women, after which the public were

served. The second day was for ndi ichie, nze na ozo and the public to celebrate at their

various homes. They invite friends, in-laws, ndi nwadiani, well wishers to herald the new

yam harvesting season. The New yam festival was the only festival that was celebrated

among all the communities in the local government area. Other festivals celebrated by

various communities in Idemili North local government area were: Uzo iyi Festival in

Umuoji, Omaliko Festival in Abatete, Iri-ede Festival in Eziowelle and Abacha, and so on.

Iri ede or ime aro Festival in Eziowelle was a festival to appreciate the gods (Aro deity)

for protecting the community throughout the year. The event usual took place during

December or early January and it was a six-day event. The first three days are used to

prepare for the festival whereby sacrifices were offered to the gods and their blessings

sought. The last three days began with initiation of young boys into masquerade cult.

This initiation made the boys eligible to wear or follow masquerade in the community.

After the initiation, masquerades were allowed to come out and entertain the people

for the final three days. With these festivals communities in Idemili North LGA were

able to display their cultural heritage. The festivals also served as a means of

entertainment and recreation.10

Each community in Idemili North LGA had a town union that comprised both

men and women. These town unions had their norms, values and set objectives. The

town unions with their traditional rulers and council members (made up of Ichie drawn

from various villages or clans as the case maybe) were the apex of a political body. They

26

took decisions that affected their community. Age grades and Umuada or Umuokpu

Group featured predominantly in communities in the LGA. These age grades were

actively involved in political affairs of their various communities. The Umuada or

Umuokpu comprised all married daughters of a community. Their role in settlement of

disputes in a community need not be over- emphasized. Some town unions or

community age grades society tasked themselves and embarked on self-help

community developmental projects. They did it in order to supplement government

projects11

. In Eziowelle, one of the age grades (Njikoka age grade) built maternity

home/centre after the Nigerian civil war and handed the management over to the local

government. Efforts put by Oganiru age grade led to installation of electricity in

Eziowelle. They donated the first transformer in the community and also saw to the

installation of electricity in the town. The people of Abacha in the last decade of the 20th

century embarked and completed installation of electricity in the community with

minimal help from the state government. Girls’ Secondary School Abatete was

constructed by the people of Abatete. The town hall which the people of Ogidi built is

what the local government is using as customary court. The same could be said of most

communities in the local government area.

In most communities in Idemili North LGA, the people are predominantly

Christians, though one could find a number of African traditional religion (ATR)

adherents in the area. Nevertheless, the peoples in Idemili North LGA like other

African/Igbo communities are truly religious. Most situations have religious meaning. As

stated by R.N Crust, “the society is the primary objective of religious worship and

27

veneration, its ethos, values and customs are made sacred through religion.”12

The

sacredness and importance of religion in Idemili North LGA communities need not be

overlooked because it helped to maintain relative peace in the area.

Idemili North LGA is one of the LGAs with high and growing population strength

in Anambra state. Such teeming population truly warrants a strong, viable and capable

local government administration to provide support to the masses. In fact, from

statistical data gathered between 2001 and 2007, the population of the LGA was over

360,000 and was second only to Aguata LGA in the state.13

Table 2 below confirms this.

ANNUAL POPULATION PROJECTIONS BY LGA, 2001-2007

LGA 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Aguata 286,897 379,249 389,982 401,018 412,367 424,037 436,037

Anambra

East

57,928 76,575 78,742 80,970 84,262 85,618 88,041

Anambra

West

109,075 144,186 148,267 152,463 156,777 161,214 165,776

Anaocha 200,607

265,182 272,687 280,404 288,339 296,499 304890

Awka North 60,728 80,270 82,541 84,877 92,279 89,749 92,289

Awka South 130,664 172,725 177,613 182,639 187,808 193,123 198,589

Ayamelum 85,819 113,444 116,655 119,956 123,251 126,841 130,431

Dunukofia 73,473 90,514 93,076 95,710 98,419 101,204 105,068

Ekwusigo 89,171 117,875 121,211 124,641 128,169 131,796 135,525

Idemili

North

278,642 368,337 378,761 389,480 400,502 411,836 423,491

Idemili

South

124,123 164,077 168,720 173,495 178,405 183,454 188,645

Ihiala 179,589 237,399 244,117 251,025 258,129 265,435 272,949

Njikoka 72,948 96,430 99,159 101,965 104,851 107,818 110,870

Nnewi

North

121,063 160,157 164,562 169,219 174,008 178,932 183,996

Nnewi

South

147,428 178,840 200,400 206,072 211,903 217,900 224,067

Ogbaru 191,761 253,489 260,662 268,039 275,265 283,425 291,446

Onitsha

North

121,063 160,157 164,690 169,351 174,143 179,071 184,139

28

Onitsha

South

135,290 178,840 183,901 189,105 194,457 199,960 205,619

Orumba

North

127,476 168,510 173,279 178,183 183,226 188,441 193,743

Orumba

South

92,716 122,561 126,030 129,596 133,264 137,035 140,914

Oyi 109,921 145,304 149,417 153,645 157,993 162,464 167,063

ANAMBRA

STATE

2,796,382 3,690,042 3,794,472 3,901,853 4,016,817 4,125,822

Source: 2007 Anambra State Statistical Year Book.

On the other hand, local government administration is a key feature of grassroot

politics. An examination of the local government administration between 1996 and

2010, shows that Idemili North LGA has been administered by 12 different chairmen. Of

the 12, only 3 were elected while the others were appointed. Also, only one female

administrator has chaired the local government, while Okey Mou Aroh was the only

elected official to complete his 3-years tenure.

Other appointed chairmen to chair for a period of three years were Dr. Uche

Ezediorah and Mr. Frank Mabuike. Dr Uche Ezediorah was the chairman during Dr. Chris

Ngige’s regime as the governor of Anambra state. Although Uche Ezediorah served by

appointment, his appointment enjoyed some stability. Some of the appointed

administrators were not from the local government: J .C Omekagu was from Ogunike

(Oyi LGA), Emeka Akabueze was from Ogbaru LGA, John Obodzie was from Neni

(Anaocha LGA) and Frank Mabuike was from Adazi Nnukwu (Anaocha LGA). Governor

Chinwoke Mbadinuju appointed three administrators before he left office viz: Edwin

Ekwino, (June, 2002-Oct.2002), Nikky Nwabueze, (Nov.2002-Feb.2003), Ben Mozie,

March, (2003-May, 2003). While Chris Ngige appointed only one administrator ( Uche

Ezediorah, June, 2002-May 2006) in his three years as governor. Governor Peter Obi

29

appointed four administrators within four years in office namely: Emeka Akabueze,

(May, 2006-March, 2007), Amaechi Ekume, (April, 2007-July, 2007), John Obodzie,(

Aug.2007-July,2008), Frank Mabuike, (Aug. 2008-July 2011).

Table 3: Local Government Chairmen, Tenure, Mode and Origin.

NAME TENURE MODE OF

TENURE

TOWN OF

ORIGIN

1 Dr Tony Ezike Oct.1996-March,1997 Election Alor

2 Bar. J.C Omekagu March,1997-July,1998 Election Nkpor

3 Barr. Emma Ike July,1998-April,1999 Appointment Ogbunike

4 Chief Okey Muo

Aroh

May,1999-May,2002 Election Abatete

5 Edwin Ekwuino June,2002-Oct.2002 Appointment Obosi

6 Mrs Nikky

Nwabueze

Nov.2002-Feb.2003 Appointment Ogidi

7 Rev Ben Mozie March,2003-May,2003 Appointment Obosi

8 Dr Uche Ezediorah June,2003-May,2006 Appointment Umuoji

9 Emeka Akabueze May,2006-March,2007 Appointment Ogbaru

10 Amaechi Ekwume April,2007-July,2007 Appointment Ogidi

11 John Obodzie Aug.2007-July,2008 Appointment Neni

12 Mr. Frank Mabuike Aug. 2008-July2011 Appointment Adazi Nnukwu

The instability in the tenure of office in Idemili North LGA was partly caused by

party politics in the state and loopholes in the constitution .This hindered the smooth

running of the local government and in turn retarded meaningful development. It

should be noted that each State Independent Electoral Commission was saddled with

the conduct of local government election in their respective states. In Anambra, the

State Independent Electoral Commission was called Anambra State Independent

Electoral Commission (ANSIEC). This Commission conducted local government elections

based upon a law for that purpose enacted by the State House of Assembly pursuant to

section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution gave

30

governors of each state power to appoint the chairman and members of a state

Independent Electoral Commission subject to approval by the state House of Assembly.

These powers vested on Governors had made local government election almost a sole

responsibility of governors and in Anambra state respective Governors: Chinwoke

Mbadinuju (1999-2003), Chris Ngige (2003-2006) and Peter Obi (2006-2010) capitalized

on these constitutional clauses or what E. Orijiakor referred to as “Constitutional

shortcomings”14

not to conduct local government elections. For Aguda, “it also seems

to be deliberate and tended to destroy the country’s local government system.”15

In

Anambra state, after the December 1998 local government election that ushered in

democratically elected leaders of the Fourth Republic, no other local government

election had been conducted. Subsequent governors after 2003 when the three year

tenure of the 1998 elected chairmen expired made use of appointed administrators

mostly stooges to those that appointed them. Their tenures of office were not

constitutionally guaranteed and their continued stay in office was at the mercy of the

governor that appointed them. This has not aided the growth of local government

especially that of Idemili North LGA.

31

END NOTES

1 R. C. Onah “Functions of local Government” in Ikejiani, Clark (Ed) Local Government

Administration in Nigeria: Current Problems and Future Challenges (Lagos: Mangrove

Publication, 1995) 34.

2 M. E. Akubueze 52 years, formal Acting Chairman Idemili North LGA 2006-2007,

interviewed at Idemili North LGA premises on November 16th

, 2012.

3 Elizabeth Isichei, A History of the Igbo people, (London: Macmillion, 1976), 22.

4 G. I. Jones, (A.D.O), “Intelligence report on Northern and Southern Groups of INU

Clan”, N. A.

E, C. S. E. 13/1/27, 1931, 19.

5 G. I. Jones, (A.D.O), “Intelligence report on Northern and …, 21.

6 N.A.E. C.S.O. 2/4/1. Moor to Secretary of State, January 1902. 17.

7 Grace Amaobi, 55 years, Women leader, interviwed at Awka on Novermber 8, 2012.

8 A. Nwankwo, “The Igbo and the Tradition of Politics: An Overview” in U. D. Anyanwu

and J. C. U. Aguuora (Eds) The Igbo and the Traditional Politics (Enugu: Fourth

Dimension Publishing Co.Ltd.1993) 3.

9 N.A.E. C.S.O. 1/85/1006. Annual Reports, Orlu Province, 1904.

10Okonkwo Etusi, M.U. 72 years, traditional ruler Eziowelle community, interviewed at

Eziowelle on Novermber 14, 2012.

11S. Ottenburg, “Ibo Receptivity to change” in R.E Bascon and M.J Herskorits (Eds)

Continuity and Changes in African Culture (Chicago: University of Chicago press,

1959)130.

32

12A.A Okafor, 62 years, farmer, interviewed at Umuoji on October 20

th, 2012.

13E. Isichei, A History of the People… 27.

14E. Orijiakor, 48 years, civil servant, interviewed at local government civil service

commission Awka, Anambra state on October 10, 2012.

15O. Aguda “How Politicians Desecrated the Constitution” in The National Newspaper of

Monday, June 9, 2008. Pp 28-29. For more on the constitution and controversies on

local government elections, see Okechukwu, Eme “2007-2008 Local Government

Elections in Nigeria: History, controversies and challenges ahead” in Tony Onyishi (Ed)

Key Issues in Local Government and Development: A Nigeria Perspective (Enugu Praise

House publishers, 2011) 348-376.

33

CHAPTER THREE

Socio-Political and Economic Developments in Idemili North LGA up to 1999

The strength of any society is the totality of its human and material resources. Of

importance is that political stability of a society is pivotal to economic development as

well as social system. It is on this note that this chapter will examine the social,

economic and political developments in Idemili North LGA up to 1999 when a

democratically elected chairman took office. This chapter will examine Idemili North,

the people and their culture, and how the chairmanship of Tony Ezike (October 1996-

March 1997), J. C. Omekagu (March 1997-July 1998), and Emma Ike (July 1998- April

1999) tried to bring about meaningful development (if any).

Social Development up to 1999

The creation of Idemili North LGA in 1996 brought about several changes in

almost every sphere of the people’s lives. It became the closest medium by which the

people could reach the government and for the first time in many years, governance

became closer to the governed. The administration sought to reflect the needs and

ambitions of the people and contributed materially to the growth and benefit of the

local economy. As the closest among the three tiers of government in terms of

accessibility by the people, that administration endeavoured to sanitize the community

safety and peace whilst integrating the people into local politics. The essence of the

creation of the local government according to Okey Mou Aroh was to enable those that

have common interest manage their joint interest themselves, to provide those services

that required local knowledge and sensitivity for the benefit of the majority at the

34

grassroots.16

Prior to the creation of Idemili North LGA, the area was not stagnant in

terms of social development but it gave room for greater participation and

developments. Following the creation of the local government by General Abacha’s

military regime on October 1st

, 1996, election on zero party system was conducted. Dr

Tony Ezike won and became the inaugural Chairman of the local government from

October 1996 to March 1997. As was expected the elected chairman was to hold office

for a while after which he will be succeeded by the winner of party based election.

Nevertheless, the regime of Dr Tony Ezike to a reasonable extent was able to rally the

people together. It was during the regime that the existing twelve wards in the local

government were created. Each of the ten communities have one ward except for Ogidi

and Nkpo which have two each, making a total of twelve wards.

The government of Dr. Tony Ezike had clear cut objectives in terms of social

development in the newly created local government area. The administration’s were to

provide professional skills to aid the various communities that make up Idemili North

LGA in community developmental projects, to mobilize and sensitize the people via

funding community development projects through matching grants or outright

financing, to supervise community or government based projects and finally to act as a

link between various communities and the other tiers of government at state and

federal levels. No doubt, as Olowu articulated in his work17

local government and rural

developments are indispensable and so valuable to the people.

On assumption of office, Dr Tony Ezike called a meeting of community

representatives, community based organization (CBOs), non governmental

35

organizations, youth leaders, developmental partners and other opinion leaders from

the various communities that make up the newly created Idemili North LGA to discuss

the way forward and how best to govern the people. They discussed among other thing;

the issues of healthcare, education, agriculture, basic infrastructure, human

development and general administration. Dr. Tony Ezike’s tenure of office lasted for five

months from October 1996 to March 1997. However no meaningful social development

took place because of the shortness of his tenure. He did however lay the foundation for

other developments to occur in the LGA as the inaugural chairman of the LGA.

After General Abacha’s review plans for transition to civilian rule, he announced

the registration of five political parties in March 1997. Thus, Bar. J. C Omekagu was

elected into office on the platform of United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). On

assumption of office, Omekagu continued with the social policies enumerated by his

predecessor but he later included, among other things poverty eradication through

education and provision of basic healthcare facilities into his programmes of events. For

him, “a healthy man is a wealthy man”.18

Omekagu health care programme was in line with National Health Policy19

adopted in 1978 by the federal government as a key to develop quality health care

system for Nigerians. In accordance with the policy, local governments were meant to

provide primary healthcare on malnutrition, poor environmental sanitation, poor

personal hygiene, and inadequate water supply. Other areas included prevention of

communicable disease such as tuberculosis, polio, chickenpox, measles and yellow

fever. These diseases are preventable through timely immunization. The administration

36

had to provide, among other things healthcare centres and clinics in various

communities and medical health personnel. The administrations also mobilized the

people and gave periodic reports on the health situation of people of the area. Between

1996-1999 the following programmes were operational in order to provide and meet

the requirement for a health and disease free local government. They are: Social

Mobilization, Disease Surveillance and Notification, National Programmes on

Immunization, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maternal and Child Health Care and Report

Health/Family Planning.20

These programmes were all in a bid to provide adequate

healthcare system to the people. The report of the programmes showed that the people

responded to the programmes and also showed areas of improvement. According to the

report of 1998, some communities like Abacha have no functional health centre. They

made use of the town’s only government primary school building for that purpose. In

some other communities, health facilities were poor. The greatest challenges met by the

local government health workers were lack of incentives to aid them carry out their job.

For instance, there was lack of functional vehicle in the local government to convey the

workers to the various communities for the immunization. Some also complained of not

being paid. Residential accommodation provided for the local government health

workers was not enough as about ten health workers/officers were housed in 1 line 3

straight 12 x 10 room apartment, which was in a deplorable condition.

In the area of environmental sanitation, the chairmanship of J. C. Omekagu

embraced water and environmental sanitation programme. It is not surprising since

good hygiene, promotes public health and welfare, improves quality of life and ensure

37

sustainable environment. The components of the environmental sanitation during this

period included waste management, medical waste management, food sanitation,

hygiene education and promotion. The administration employed a number of health

workers that went about educating and mobilizing the people, especially those in the

urban centres of Nkpor, Ogodi and Obosi on the need for environmental sanitation and

cleanliness. A number of workers were also employed as environmental taskforce

members that went about enforcing the environmental laws, such as, indiscriminate

dumping of refuse, wrong parking, blockage of drainage with refuse, and so on.

Defaulters when caught were penalized.

The problem with the environmental programme was that it was targeted

mostly for those at the urban centres of the local government. Members of the task

force committee also were not human-friendly as they victimized the people. For

Mmegbuaneze Charles, “they were used as political thugs against those that refused to

patronize or support the policy of the government.”21

Nevertheless, the programme did

ensure a measure of cleanliness in the urban centres of the local government. Waste

paper baskets were placed along the streets and inside markets for the people to make

proper use of when necessary even though some nefarious individuals refused to make

use of the waste bins.

In the area of potable water supply, from 1996-1999, respective local

government chairmen supported and embraced the programme of WESU (Water and

Environmental Sanitation Unit) which instituted the water and environmental sanitation

committee that was made up of ten members drawn from the ten communities that

38

make up the local government. This body was tasked to mobilize the different

communities on the need to provide good drinking water and a habitable environment.

During this time though, the local government did not provide or construct any pipe

borne water in any of the community that make up Idemili North. Rather it supported

the following five communities namely: Abacha, Ogidi, Nkpor, Obosi and Umuoji in

community water supply via, monitoring and making recommendations where

necessary. The WESCOM (Water and Environmental Sanitation Community Committee)

were able to construct two unit pit latrines at Abacha market place and at Ogidi health

centre.22

They also constructed three unit pit latrine and two units urinary at Umuoji.

The committee also organized workshop training for forty artisans selected among the

different communities on production of slab and construction of snippet latrines. Due to

lack of fund, the programme could not continue after 1998. Those trained were not

given any incentives to establish. The death of WESU in early 1999 did not mean the end

of social development in Idemili North local government area. Emma Ike who succeeded

J. C. Omekagu in office tried to revive the programme during his short tenure but failed.

Education was another area of interest for the government of Omekagu. The

local government education authority was in a charge of supervision, standard

maintenance and policy implementation in all the government owned schools in the ten

communities that make up Idemili North LGA. The Local Government Education

Authority had the sole responsibilities to mobilize, implement policies that were geared

towards better education standard, provide the enabling environment for education to

39

thrive, provide educational and vocational guidance and schools in the local

government.

Sixty eight (68) governments owned primary school existed .The table below,

show that at least each community had at least one primary school:

Table 4: Communities in Idemili North LGA and the number of primary schools23

.

Community No of primary school

Abacha 1

Abatete 9

Eziowelle 4

Ideani 2

Nkpor 10

Obosi 13

Ogidi 12

Oraukwu 4

Uke 4

Umuoji 9

Total 68

One of the functions of Local Government is provision and maintenance of primary,

adult and vocational education.24

From 1996 – 1999, no primary or vocational school

was built apart from the already existing ones. The primary schools that existed in the

local government were those built either by the missionaries or those built by the

communities themselves who handed over the management to the government. In

Idemili North local government area only two (2) vocational schools existed. They were

located at Nkpor and Obosi towns. The lack of vocational schools in the area meant that

the people lacked adequate technicians and competence in the area. Adult education

was in alarming state. Only about seven (7) communities in the area had centres for

adult education. Some communities made use of government owned primary schools.

40

Students’ enrolment was poor. In Abacha from 1996 -1999 those that enrolled were

only 15, in Abatete at Anikwe Primary School it was 8. In Ideani Central School it was 9

of which 4 were boys, 5 were girls, in Nkpor Central School Nkpor Agu there was an

increase of about 60 people,25

and so on. Teachers’ qualification in primary school was

relatively of standard. Among the 1,198 teachers only 81 had TC II certificate while

others had NCE and above.26

Students’ enrolment in primary school was not the best.

From 1996 -1998, the number of student enrolment had not surpassed 7,229 per year in

the local government as against 9,000 or above anticipated each year.27

It could be deduced from the above analysis that the local government

objectives between 1996-1999 to create awareness of the importance of education,

making education affordable to every child, producing skilled manpower and increasing

the standard of schools in the local government area did not materialize. The standard

of education in the area continued to dwindle, youth development was never

considered because development and improved entrepreneurial skills and

competencies to increase employment opportunities for youths were not given priority

and consideration. No grant, fund or scholarship was given to the youth during this

period.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, 1996-1999.

As Babangida rightly stated, “local governments are no longer for payment of

salaries only. They are now to ensure collective participation of the people in politics

….”28

This was true of Idemili North LGA. The creation of the local government according

to M.E Akabueze29

and K. C Ejimkonye30

in separate interviews agreed to the fact that

41

the creation of the local government brought politics closer to the people. The people of

Idemili North became closer to the government and participated more in the affairs of

local politics.

The creation of the local government in 1996 saw a rise of new politicians such

as Okey Mou Aroh, Emeka Ikeme, Okwosa Kelvin, and so on who envisaged an

opportunity to contribute their quota in the new local government. Some of these

politicians may not have been known in the political arena but if not for the creation of

the local government which gave them a platform to start their political career. During

the 1997 local government election no fewer than thirty persons contested primary

election among the various political parties31

.Those that contested both the primaries

and the main election, might not have gotten such opportunity if not for the creation of

the local government.

With the splitting of the Idemili local government into two to form Idemili North

and Idemili South local government areas, one would have expected the creation of

more federal constituencies whereby each of the local government would have separate

representatives in the federal house of representative. However, that was not to be,

despite the huge human and material resources that abound. The administration of

Ikeme, Omekagu and Ike did little to increase the political representation in the local

government. Such political representation, had it happened, would have increased

political participation, representation, developments and government presence in the

local government.

42

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, 1996-1999

In Idemili North LGA, trade and agriculture were the main stay of the people’s

economy. Even though the administration of Ezike, Omekagu and Ike tried to promote

the standard of living of the people, their economic wellbeing was below per. This was

perhaps brought about by the low level of education that hindered the people from

developing their potentials, low income earning, large family size which made it difficult

for the head of the family with paltry source of income to provide basic needs of their

family, limited access to agricultural land for farmers and lack of credit facilities.32

To

redeem the situation, the administrators viz Ezike, Omekagu and Ike embarked on

poverty alleviation programmes. Efforts were made to reach the people directly and

empower them economically.

Tony Ezike on assumption of office, tried to identify constraints to increased

agricultural productivity in the area. Constraints identified were land tenure system

practiced then where land was fragmented in bits and had small holdings, thus not

suitable for commercial farming. There was also problem of poor farm tools and

unmechanized system of agriculture. Decline of soil fertility caused by both human and

natural factors. Other constraints identified were the absence of irrigation facilities, lack

of support from the government, lack of infrastructure to aid agricultural development

such as, good roods, storage facilities, electricity and so on. Inadequate veterinary

service was also identified as a constraint to agricultural development in the local

government. Based on these problems and constrains the administration of Ezike set

out its goals on agricultural improvement namely to reduce poverty through agriculture,

43

make the local government self sufficient in food production, empower farmers,

especially women and youths, through improved technology which will increase

production and processing capacity.

The administrations of Tony Ezike, (October 1996- March 1997) J.C Omekagu

(March1997- July 1998) and Emma Ike (July 1998- April 1999) designed and followed the

same agricultural programmes and strategies. Practical agriculture was introduced for

primary school pupils. They were meant to grow crops in school farms. This programme

was not a success because the administrations failed to recognize that not all the

primary schools in the local government had farmland. Besides, the government failed

to provide for those that even lacked farmlands. Schools that had farmlands produced

crops of meager output. Some of the pupils complained of the teachers harvesting the

crops without their consent. According to K.C Ejimnkonye, the programme was basically

to inculcate the idea of farming and agriculture in the life of the pupils.33

It was difficult

to ascertain this claim by Ejimnkonye but based on lack of meaningful agricultural

pursuit among the youths after some years, one may conclude that the programm was a

failure.

The administrators also subsidized agricultural inputs such as, fertilizer, agro

chemical and seedlings to farmers. Farmers were meant to register with the local

government for a token. This was done basically to coordinate and ease distribution of

subsidized agricultural inputs. The problem with this programme was that those that

had nothing to do with agriculture, hijacked the programme and made away with the

subsidized inputs only to sell them in the open market at exorbitant prices. Infact, there

44

was poor monitoring of the distribution of the farm inputs. It was discovered that the

tractors and ploughs meant for the local government farmers were hired to farmers

outside the local government especially those from the riverside areas of Ogbaru LGA.34

From 1997-1999, the agricultural department of the local government was

strengthened as new staff members were employed. Professional agricultural workers

were employed especially by Omekagu. Those employed were saddled with the

responsibility of educating the rural farmers on the need for improved agricultural

output. The agricultural workers organized series of lectures, demonstrations, film

shows and so on in order to drive home their points. The agricultural workers also linked

some farmers to sources of micro credits. Improved, early maturing, high-yielding

livestock and crops were introduced by the agricultural workers. In spite of the vision of

the chairmen that employed those agricultural workers, the workers themselves

concentrated all their activities at the local government headquarters, Ogidi, partly

because they were not provided with means of transportation to meet the needs of

those in the rural communities and inadequate fund. Those farmers in the rural areas of

Abacha, Ideani and Umuoji communities claimed ignorance of the activities of the

agricultural extension workers employed during this period.35

Trading was another important economic activity of the people of Idemili North.

The proximity of the local government to Onitsha, the commercial hub of Igboland,

meant that economic activities were on the increase in the area. It brought about a

noticeable flight from the rural agricultural centres to the commercial urban areas. The

governments of Tony Ezike, J. C. Omekagu and Emma Ike, in line with their

45

constitutional obligations, tried to maintain and regulate the then existing market

notably: Afor Nkpor, Mgbuka Nkpor and Obosi, Nkpor main markets. These markets

provided funds to the local government via rates collected. Other forms of revenue

generation were through government allocations and grants, “which were not

enough”36

From the above, it is clear that the tenure of the three chairmen, Tony Ezike

(October 1996-March 1997), J.C Omekagu (March 1997-July 1998) and Emma Ike (July

1998-April 1999) were too brief to impact meaningfully on the people. Due to such

shortness, policy-making, decision making and implementation was not properly

planned and if executed it was at best, done hastily. More so, the tenures of these

chairmen were not clearly stated, hence, the uncertainty of their various

administrations. These administrations did record some achievements as highlighted in

the chapter even though a number of factors were against them.

46

END NOTES

1 R. C. Onah “Functions of local Government” in Ikejiani, Clark (Ed) Local Government

Administration in Nigeria: Current Problems and Future Challenges (Lagos: Mangrove

Publication, 1995) 34.

2 M. E. Akubueze 52 years, Acting Chairman Idemili North LGA 2006-2007, interviewed

at Idemili North LGA premises on November 16th

, 2012.

3 Elizabeth Isichei, A History of the Igbo people, (London: Macmillion, 1976), 22.

4 G. I. Jones, (A.D.O), “Intelligence report on Northern and Southern Groups of INU

Clan”, N. A.

E, C. S. E. 13/1/27, 1931, 19.

5 G. I. Jones, (A.D.O), “Intelligence report on Northern and …, 21.

6 N.A.E. C.S.O. 2/4/1. Moor to Secretary of State, January 1902. 17.

7 Grace Amaobi, 55 years, Women leader, interviwed at Awka on Novermber 8, 2012.

8 A. Nwankwo, “The Igbo and the Tradition of Politics: An Overview” in U. D. Anyanwu

and J. C. U. Aguuora (Eds) The Igbo and the Traditional Politics (Enugu: Fourth

Dimension Publishing Co.Ltd.1993) 3.

9 N.A.E. C.S.O. 1/85/1006. Annual Reports, Orlu Province, 1904.

10Okonkwo Etusi, M.U. 72 years, traditional ruler Eziowelle community, interviewed at

Eziowelle on Novermber 14, 2012.

11S. Ottenburg, “Ibo Receptivity to change” in R.E Bascon and M.J Herskorits (Eds)

Continuity and Changes in African Culture (Chicago: University of Chicago press,

1959)130.

47

12A.A Okafor, 62 years, farmer, interviewed at Umuoji on October 20

th, 2012.

13E. Isichei, A History of the People… 27.

14E. Orijiakor, 48 years, civil servant, interviewed at local government civil service

commission Awka, Anambra state on October 10, 2012.

15O. Aguda “How Politicians Desecrated the Constitution” in The National Newspaper of

Monday, June 9, 2008. Pp 28-29. For more on the constitution and controversies on

local government elections, see Okechukwu, Eme “2007-2008 Local Government

Elections in Nigeria: History, controversies and challenges ahead” in Tony Onyishi (Ed)

Key Issues in Local Government and Development: A Nigeria Perspective (Enugu Praise

House publishers, 2011) 348-376.

16 Okey Mou Aroh, 62 years, legal practitioner and Chairman Idemili North LGA 1999-

2002, interviewed at Atatete on October 11, 2012.

17 O. Olowu, African Local Governments as Instruments of Economic and Social

Development. (Hauge: IULA 1988), v.

18 Alma Ata Declaration copied from, Introduction to World Heath System (WHS) Briefing

Package for sensitization of WHS in Idemili LGA p98.

19 Federal Ministry of Health, “Operational Training Manual and Guidelines” (National

Primary Healthcare Development Agency, 1998), 14.

20 -------------------------------, “Operational Training Manual and …”

21Mmegbuaneze Charles 46 years, Trader at Building Material Ogidi, interviewed at

Ogidi November 9th

, 2012.

48

22 K. O. C. Ejimnkonye, 68years, Deputy chairman Idemili LGA. Interviewed at Eziowelle

on December 3rd

, 2012.

23For more see, Adult Education Unit, Department of Education and Social

Development, Idemili North Local Government Area. Ogidi.

24U Akpan “The Legislative Arm in the Third Tier of Government: Framework, Functions

and Later Relations” in Tony Onyishi key issues in Local Government... 539.

25

Information from Idemili North Government Education Authority accessed on 7th

December, 2012.

26Information gotten from Research and Statistics Department, Anambra State

Education Commission, Awka, accessed on 11 December, 2012.

27 Information gotten from Research and Statistics Department, ….

28 I.B. Babangida “Making Councils the Power Base of Democracy” in The Guardian

Newspaper of October 4, 1998. P.11.

29 M. E. Akubueze … Interview cited.

30 K. C. Ejimnkonye … Interview cited.

31 k. C. Ejimnkonye … interview cited

32Lady Grace Amaobi … Interview cited

33 K. C. Ejimnkonye … Interview cited

34 k. C. Ejimnkonye … Interview cited

35 A.A. Okafor, 62 years farmer,… Interview cited.

36 k. C. Ejimkonye, … Interview cited

49

CHAPTER FOUR

DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY, 1999-2002

Introduction

With the return of democratic rule in 1999, the people of Idemili North LGA

envisaged a solution to their problems after protracted years of military rule that was

saddled with lack of freedom. Expectations were high as the people were swapped by

the euphoria of democracy as they elected Okey Mou Aroh as chairman of the local

government. This was in affirmation with what Izueke said of democracy as form of

government in which the right to govern is vested in the citizens of a country or a state

and exercised through majority rule.1 Democracy is expected to come with benefits as

stated in Almond’s definition of democracy. For him “democracy is a political system in

which citizens enjoy a number of basic civil and political rights, and in which their

leaders are elected in free and fair elections and accountable under a rule of law.”2 As

expected, goals and aspirations of the people are meant to be achieved more in a

democratic setting rather than in a military one. Democracy at local government level is

expected to facilitate democratic self government at local level through local

representatives, mobilize and manage local resources through involvement and

encouragement of planning, and provide services and development activities based on

local needs. This will ensure stability and decentralize government activities. Also,

service will be brought closest to the people and local communities will be integrated

into the federal scheme (state and federal government) through vital communication,

mobilization and input to governance.3

50

Democracy gives room for the expression of one’s fundamental human rights

and freedom as enshrined in the Constitution. Freedom of expression is the basic

dividend of democratic government. Democratic dividend occurs when the masses get

the government in power to act in accordance to their will and not really an offshore of

what the administration thought. Writing on the dividends of democracy, L. U. Edigin, et

al, were of the opinion that “dividends of democracy is said to occur when the elites

become completely subject to the powers of the electorate and consequently act in

accordance to the will of the people”.4 Therefore, the people must be the ultimate

repository of power. There must be an improvement in the standard of living of the

people.

Changes are vital in any society, particularly when it strives to fulfill human

needs. It takes a committed and stable leadership to accomplish a propitious change in a

society. Moreso, a democratically elected leader is expected to bring propitious

dividends and impact positively on the people. Based on this, this chapter will examine

Idemili North LGA under the chairmanship of a democratically elected chairman 1999-

2002. Did the stability in the office of chairmanship bring about meaningful

development, if not why?

STRUCTURE OF IDEMILI NORTH LGA, 1999-2002

Structure of Idemili North LGA is not quite different from our knowledge of

local government structure in Nigeria during this period. The local government

administrative structure was made up of executive and legislative arms. The executive

arm of the local government consisted of the chairman, vice chairman, supervisors and

51

secretary of the council. The legislative arm was made up of elected councilors. The

chairman of the local 1999-2002 was Okey Mou Aroh. He was elected on the platform of

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okey Mou Aroh was the chief executive and accounting

officer of the local government from May 1999 – May 2002. The vice chairman during

this period was to act in the absence of the chairman. The chairman also appointed the

local government secretary. Supervisors were also appointed by Okey Mou Aroh but

that was in consultation with local government council. From May 1999 up to May 2002

the chairman appointed ten different supervisors for the five supervisory posts namely:

works, health, agriculture, personnel and special duties.5

The supervisory councilors

were answerable to the chairman and were charged with the responsibility of

supervising works in their respective area of jurisdiction. The legislative arm was made

up of twelve elected councilors that represented the twelve wards in the local

government. Functions of the legislative arm of local government are constitutionally

defined. There was head of various departments in the local government. These heads

were career local government workers.

There were also the treasurer and the auditor general of the local government

who managed the local government finance. There were various committees such as:

education, work and housing, agriculture, finance and economic committees. There was

the personnel structure that was headed by the personnel head. The personnel

department was responsible for the local government personnel and they acted in

liaison with Local Government Service Commission.

52

The Roles of the Councilors

Councilors in Idemili North LGA were those elected into the legislative arms of

the local government. As stated earlier, they were twelve in number and represented

the twelve wards in the local government. In accordance with 1999 Handbook 0n Local

Government Administration6, Idemili North local government legislative arms 1999-2002

was made up of a leader, deputy leader and the other councilors. The local government

councilors performed various functions that included: debating and approving the local

government annual budget, this was subjected to the Chairman’s veto which may be set

aside by two-third majority of the members of the local government council vetting and

monitoring the implementation of projects and programmes of the local government

examining and debating the statements of income and expenditure rendered to it by

the Chairman of the local government. By advising, consulting and liaising with the

Chairman, they also performed such other functions as assigned to them by the state

laws. The councilors ensured that each project contained in the budget is feasible,

desirable and likely to facilitate meaningful development. They also made sure that

adequate provisions were made by the executive on each project to avoid being

abandoned. Councilors made sure that developmental projects were evenly distributed

in the various communities to avoid unduly concentration in any particular section of

the local government. How well the councilors performed would be discussed when

writing on the dividends of democracy.

53

Administrative Programmes of the Regime, 1999-2002

The system of local government by democratically elected government

as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution became truism in 1999 when Okey Mou Aroh was

elected Chairman Idemili North LGA for a three year tenure. Based on the Constitution

and the need to foster sustainable development, the administration of Okey Mou Aroh

drew up programmes geared towards good governance as envisaged by the people. The

programmes were set to vigorously and prudently make use of available resources to

develop social amenities and infrastructure. The administration liaised with Council of

Traditional Rulers, town union governments and “stake holders”7 to harmonize

development strategies that were to benefit communities and the local government in

general.

The administration focused on educational development and improvement,

health, road construction and rehabilitation, youth empowerment, provision of potable

water, poverty reduction and agricultural development. In the area of education, the

administration intended to build new primary schools, rehabilitate some already

existing ones, increase literacy rate up to 75 percent by 2002 and total commitment to

the implementation of all educational policies. Strategies adopted to implement these

objectives were to make primary education relatively free, whereby tuition fees were to

be removed, the Parents-Teacher-Association reinvigorated and incentives provided for

primary school teachers via timely promotion and free accommodation. Other means

were to adequately supervise and enforce educational guidelines and an onward review

54

of primary school curriculum, to reflect the life and value system of the people 8. The

programme for education could not be said to be a success. It was during this

administration that Anambra state teachers embarked on a nine month strike action

over the nonpayment of their salaries, the longest teachers strike in the state. The strike

not only affected Idemili North LGA but the entire Anambra state. The administration of

Okey Mou Aroh did little to address the situation. The period 1999-2002 witnessed a

drop in school enrolment, especially for the male pupils as most pupils that went into

trading never came back after the strike9. At the end of the administration of Okey Mou

Aroh it was on record that no new primary school was built. The already existing ones

were not adequately provided for. Teachers incentives as outlined by the administration

were never provided.

Objectives of the regime towards health services were to reduce morbidity and

mortality rate, especially of children, women of childbearing age, improve equitable

access to quality healthcare, reinforce commitment to primary healthcare and promote

health reproductive behavior in the area. Strategies enumerated by Okey Mou Aroh to

implement these health care goals and objectives were to set up a health team,

organize seminars and workshops at different communities on the need for healthy

environment. Others included administration of food supplements to susceptible groups

of children under five, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly people,

administration of vitamin A, supplements to children six months after birth, upgrading

of health skilled workers in areas of needs and finally provision of ward health centres,

employment and redistribution of functional vehicles to facilitate sensitization,

55

supervision, monitoring, evaluation and prompt reporting.10

The extent to which the

programme served and benefitted the people shall be discussed in the next sub-

heading.

In Igboland, road construction and maintenance is of vital economic importance,

not only for the movement of goods and services but also for transportation. In the

words of I.R.A. Ozigboh, “What characterized the transportation system in Igboland was

the road revolution.”11

Based on the 1999 Constitutional functions of local

government12

and the need for accessible road, it became imperative to construct and

maintain roads. It should be noted that, Idemili North was strategically located as a

gateway to most local governments in Anambra state. The area fall within geographical

high rainfall, thus erosions and gullies were rampant and constituted speedy destruction

of existing roads. In Idemili North LGA, three roads were considered federal/state roads

namely: old Enugu road from Ziks Round-About in Awka through Abagana, Ogidi up to

Nkpor Junction, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway through Obosi, Nkpor and Ogidi and

Onitsha-Owerre Highway through Obosi. Apart from these roads, other roads in the LGA

are considered local roads that fall within the jurisdiction of the local government to

maintain and construct new ones where necessary. The longest road in the local

government was the Afor-Igwe Umudioka via Eziowelle-Abacha-Oraukwu road which

was about 8km, other roads were less. The administration of Okey Mou Aroh drew up

its programme on road construction and maintenance. “The programme was to

construct reasonable number of roads and to maintain as much as the local government

can afford to.”13

At the end of the regime, Okey Mou Aroh was able to grade the

56

following notable roads; Umuru- Abatete 2.5km road, Ezinimo-Oyearoh 2km road, Isi-

Owuru/Ime Obosi 3km road and the 7th

mile Ogidi-Azu Ogbunike 2km roads. None was

tarred.

“Youth empowerment constituted one of the significant segments of a

country”14

. The youth are the bed-rock and the future of a society. Therefore,

governments at all levels have an important role to play in determining the success or

failure of its future (youth).The administration was concerned about the decline in

enrollment of young children of school age. It thus promised to give education a facelift

by equipping schools, to build and equip functional library in some communities,

provide soft loans for youths that want to go into farming. The administration also

promised that by the end of its three years in office a skilled acquisition centre would be

built, where skills like cloth sewing, soap making, decorations and so on and so forth

would be acquired by youths of the area.

At the end of the administration, most of the under listed programmes on youth

were not achieved, some were done scruffily. According to an informant, A.A Okafor,

some schools were renovated during this period.15

The academic library and the skilled

acquisition centres promised never saw the light of day. Youths were left to fend for

themselves with little help from the local government in term of financial and human

development supports.

To improve agriculture, the government of Okey Mou Aroh had the desired goals

to significantly increase production of relevant crops like cassava, yam and vegetables in

the LGA, to create job opportunities within the agricultural sector which in turn will

57

discourage urban drifts especially by the youths, and to adopt new techniques for

agriculture. Others included empowering farmers, especially women and youths, to

increase their production and processing capacity, to increase fish farming and to make

the local government self-sufficient in food production. Strategies adopted to achieve

these purported goals and targets were to establish local government owned cassava

farms in communities like Oraukwu, Umuoji, Abatete and Ogidi where land for

commercial agriculture was available, establishment of local government owned oil

palm plantation in all the communities, schools and public institutions within the local

government. The administration also sought to organize farmers into co-operative

societies, thus enabling them hire tractors at a subsidized rates, market their products

more efficiently and to reduce risk involved in productions and to link farmers to source

of micro credits. Impacts of the agricultural development plans would be examined in

the next subheading.

Idemili North LGA during the initial Democratic Years, 1999-2002

Community development associations or improvement unions in Idemili North

during this period, (1999-2002) collaborated effectively with the government of Okey

Mou Aroh for community development projects. Some prominent sons and daughters

of the local government like Oguaju, Akajiaku, K. C. Ejimnkonye, and others that went

into political exile during military rule were able to come back and in a bid to help

sustain democracy in general and help develop the LGA. The government of Okey Mou

Aroh gave room for participatory governance and communities via their representatives

because, “the best agency to respond to peculiar and numerous problems of the

58

communities must be communities themselves”16

Democracy in Idemili gave room for

unprecedented community participation in act of governance. Through elected

representatives (especially the ward councilors) the people demanded for greater

accountability and often asked questions. Some communities sometimes staged

peaceful rallies to demand what they thought were their rights. It was during this period

that the people of Abacha community staged a peaceful march to the local government

headquarters to express their grievances over the lack of infrastructural development

and their continuous neglect in political appointments. Other communities were not left

out in the struggle, as each demanded to see their common interest taken care of by the

local government. These were possible because of democracy. Basically there was a

shift from dictatorial government experienced during the military regime to some level

of participatory form of government.

Election of Councilors that formed the local government council helped to act as

check on the chairman. The councilors had the backing of the constitution. Every budget

and project was to be debated by the councilors before they were approved and

implemented. This thus, minimized the chance of embezzlement of public funds and

initiated accountability by the Chairman. But when one assessed the performance of

councilors and the local government chairman vis a vis their performance during the

period of study, one would be shocked to find out that the issue of accountability and

transparency were really not at the core of their performance. There were cases of

corruption17

among the local government councilors who deviated from their

constitutional responsibilities as exemplified by the number of abandoned projects

59

during this period. The youth empowerment programme, agricultural program and so

on were all abandoned partly because of the incompetence of the councilors and the

administration to make proper assessment, effective monitoring and implementation.

The total allocation to local government councils in Nigeria from June 1999 to

May 2002 was over 700 billion Naira in contrast to the situation from 1997 to 1998

which was 119.04 Billion Naira.18

There was an increase in local government allocation

by over 400%. As B. Usman’s argued,19

if the allocation were properly managed by

respective local government councils, the revenue collected should have adequately

covered all local government expenditures. In Idemili North LGA, the council was said to

have been allocated about one billion naira from both the Federal and State

government allocations20

. This excluded internally generated revenue. From 1999 up to

2002, Idemili North local government financial capacity increased tremendously. The

expectation of the people was that increase in revenue should reflect in tangible

improvement in the living conditions of the people21

. Commentators are of different

opinions on the impact of this administration. Nevertheless, we are going to try and

make an objective assessment of the administration’s efforts in providing “dividends of

democracy” in the areas of healthcare, transportation and agriculture.

There is no gain saying, the administration of the chairman yielded some

dividend albeit fraught with many challenges. As the financial capacity of the LGA

improved, certain developments were witnessed. Trade, infrastructure, education and

suchlike sectors were affected, the government of Okey Muo Aroh initiated the

development of Nkpor main market into a modern market. The idea was a laudable one

60

even though certain issues arouse which disrupted the full execution of the project. The

youths of the community demanded a grater allocation of shops seeing the number

allocated to them by the local government as small. Beyond that, the community

demanded total control of the market, a demand which was vehemently refused by the

local government administration. This led to tension between the local government and

the community, a tension that resulted in the damage and loss of property of much

value. However, the administration looked beyond these challenges and embarked on

infrastructural development. The Okey Muo Aroh led administration of Idemili North

LGA, initiated and started infracturure. According to the Head of Personnel

management (HPM) during the Okey Muo Aroh administration, Oge, Chudi-Ezelum, the

administration is credited to have dug and built a bore hole at Ideani village.22

it also

started and completed the Abacha electrification project albeit with community

financial and human support. Also, the administration laid the foundation of a two-

storey office building at the local government headquarters. These served as project

indicators despite the fact that the country was generally coming in terms with the

emergent democratic dispensation.

Primary Health Care: By December 1999, the administration had set up a health

team as promised in his programme manifesto. The team was headed by Frank Belonwu

and had eleven members drawn across the local government. The team organized series

of workshops and seminars at different communities that made up Idemili North LGA on

the need for a healthy living. The team was able to organize series of seminars and

workshops among the various communities. “They did their work diligently which was a

61

plus to the government in power.”23

With the aid of the health team, all necessary

immunization programmes were carried out and the people participated effectively.

Efforts were made by the team to eliminate the perceived fear of immunization so as to

allow a greater number of people to participate in the immunizations. The

administration also improved on the working conditions of the health workers.

Functional vehicles were provided for them. They were also duly paid. The writer

ascertained from oral sources that health care awareness improved tremendously

during this period. Community leaders, women and men, religious leaders, teachers and

training institutes were all involved in the health care advocacy, social mobilization and

awareness campaign for a healthy community. Of course, there were areas where the

administration needed to improve. For instance, there was need for an equitable

distribution of health facilities among the various communities. Some communities like

Uke, Abacha and Abatete complained of marginalization in the distribution of health

facilities. Health centres were not enough in the local government and the

administration of Okey Mou Aroh did not build any apart from those that existed, some

of which were built by community themselves.

Given the need to improve transportation and living condition of some people,

the administration of Okey Muo Aroh in 2000 introduced the road transport scheme.

Without doubt, rural and urban mass transit is a daily feature in most regions. This

makes vehicular transport one of the most preferred modes of transport in Nigeria

today. Over 100 transport vehicles were purchased at the cost of N100, 000, 000.23

The

thrust of the transportation programme was to alleviate the problems associated with

62

transportation in the LGA and to economically empower those that would take to

driving as a means of making out a livelihood. Those vehicles were given out to those

who wanted to make living via commercial driving. The drivers of the vehicles were to

make a daily return of N2000. Those that wished to drive on hire purchase were to

make a non-refundable deposit of N 50,000 and later balance N950, 000 on or before

2002 when the tenure of the administration would come to an end. Benard Ilonze24

in

an interview, narrated how he benefitted from the scheme and how beneficial the

scheme was also to the people of Idemili North LGA. For him, it eased the problem of

transportation that was in place within the region. He said he was able to make at least

N 1,000 per day after necessary expenses. He was able to pay for the vehicle before

2001. It is also worthy of note that the administration partnered with individuals to

establish the Idemili North LGA Mass Transit Scheme. Though, the bulk of the vehicles

were privately owned, they also paid levies to the local government which served as a

revenue source to the government. Generally, the scheme assisted the masses

economically. Though, there were cases of those who absconded with the local

government vehicle at the end of Okey Mou Aroh tenure. The reason given for this was

that some were not able to pay for the vehicle while others left with the vehicles

because of the inability of the next administration to monitor and sustain the transport

scheme. The administration also improved the condition of some roads. For instance, it

rehabilitated the Ugwumba road, situated in Nkpor.

A motor Park was constructed along Nkpor- Obosi road to ease road congestion

of the ever busy Nkpor junction and the Onitsha Enugu expressway. The construction of

63

this park that cost up to N10, 000,000 greatly eased traffic congestion. A journey of 20

minutes sometimes delayed up to an hour or so because drivers often leave their

vehicle along both Enugu – Onitsha expressway and old Enugu Road from Zik round-

about in Onitsha through Nkpor junction along new parts Nkpor and Nkpor main market

aisle. The construction of Nkpor Park not only eased road congestions, it also served as

source of income generation to the local government as cars and vehicles that came

through the park were meant to pay a fee ranging from N100 up to N200, depending on

the capacity of the vehicle. Heavy trucks and Lorries paid more than private and

commercial cars. The park could accommodate up to 500 vehicles at once.

Assessment of agricultural performance during this period varied. Some credited

it with significant achievements, while others were skeptical and critical about the

whole issue. Agricultural production in Idemili North LGA was largely subsistence25

. This

was partly because of lack of mechanized farming, unavailability of contiguous farmland,

increase in population and the nonchalant attitude of the people towards farming which

was not a fast way of making money.

It is germane to state that three sub-sectors of agriculture existed in the local

government namely: crop, livestock and fisheries sub-sections. Thus, to state that

agriculture developed during this period meant that the three sub-sectors improved.

There was an increase in the distribution of fertilizers and pesticides to improve crop

production but it was observed that the distribution of those farm inputs were

politicized as small scale farmers (which were prevalent in the area) benefited little from

the distribution. Politicians or those with political clout distributed those fertilizers

64

mostly to traders in the area who sold at exorbitant prices in markets within and outside

the LGA. Crop output never exceeded between 10 percent and 15 percent during this

period26

. In some communities like Oraukwu, the people cultivated at the bank or near

their rivers. During dry season, they produced varieties of vegetables and crops at the

banks or near Mmiri Nnore, Mmiri Okeke and Mmiri Owa. Yet, the government failed to

provide irrigation system to improve their production.

Livestock farming involves the practice of growing and raising healthy animals for

use and consumption. It involves the use of economic and scientific principles of

breeding, feeding, diseases and pest control, proper housing and other professional

management practices to raise healthy animals for diverse purposes such as milk

production, meat, egg, hide and skins etc. In Idemili North LGA, the government of Okey

Mou Aroh did little to improve this sub-sector.

Fish farming was not known by the people of Eziowella, Abacha and Uke but the

people of Oraukwu, Ideani, Abatete and Obosi who live at the valleys of Idemili river are

conversant with fish farming. There were private fish farms like the Maya fish farm in

Ogidi and the Don fish farm in Oraukwu . Most fish farms in the LGA had gone into

extinction because of a number of reasons like lack of managerial skills, unavailability of

feed fish bread/fingers to inability of the government to provide soft loans, professional

advice and guideline to fish farmers. Had the local government administration of Okey

Mou Aroh endeavoured to develop all the agricultural subsectors in the LGA, no doubt

there would have been a marked increase in the economic potentials of the people.

65

The chairmanship of Okey Mou Aroh, despite the immense expectation and

support it got from the people, could not bring about sustainable development because

of corruption, negligence of duty, misplaced priority of developmental programmes and

lack of support from the state government. Issues surrounding public morality and

conduct of political office holders have bedeviled the Nigerian civil and public service,

the rabid desire to amass wealth and the lackluster attitude of officials characterized the

Okey Mou Aroh administration. To that end, it is only logical to conclude that self-

aggrandizement overclouded sincere service delivery to the people of Idemili North

LGA.

Moreso, it does seem too that the engagements of Okey Muo Aroh with the

anambra People’s Front (APF) may have deviated him from wholesouled service to the

people. With his vigorous commitment to the APF, personal rivalry and frosty

relationships ensured. It will be recalled that Okey Muo Aroh founded the APF with

Emeka Offor. However, Emeka Offor sponsored the then Governor, Chinwoke

Mbadinuju, to the premier office of the state much to the disapproval and dismay of the

APF members. Hence, a soured relationship developed between Emeka Offor and Okey

Muo Aroh. Later, a frosty relationship also developed between Okey Muo Aroh and

Governor, Mbadinuju- a relationship that was never amended throughout Mbadinuju

administration. It was no wonder that Okey Muo Aroh was not in the good books of the

governor thus the obvious lack of state financial support to the local government. Most

times, the state government even delayed the local government statutory allocations

which probably will be used for developing the LGA. Worse still, Okey Muo Aroh during

66

this period became increasingly committed to APF activities especially after Governor

Mbadinuju teamed up with Chris Uba and Alex Edozieuno, the later challenged Okey

Muo Aroh chairmanship27

. This must have contributed to the nonchalant disposition of

the administration towards service to the people.

67

End Notes

1M. C. E. Izueke, “Participation in Community Development; Theoretical explications” in

Onyishi Tony (Ed) Key Issues in Local Government and Development: A Nigerian

Perspective (Enugu: Praise House Publishers, 2011), 104.

2L. U. Edigin et al, “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends in Nigeria” In The

Nexus, 23-26.

3A. Nwankwo, “The Igbo and the traditional Politics: An Overview” in U.D. Anyanwu and

J. C. U. Aguuora (Ed) The Igbo and the Traditional Politics (Enugu: Fourth Dimension

Publishing co. ltd. 1993), 3.

4 U. S. Ugwuozor, Changes and continuity in Local Government Administration:

Operations and Functions Relationship (Lagos: Prints Conzult, 2001), 42.

5Esther Olikaeze, 47 years, PRO Idemili North LGA, Interviewed at Ogidi on November

10th

, 2012.

6Federal Republic Of Nigeria, Handbook on local government Administration (Lagos:

Government Printers, 1999)

7O. Ewesi, 40 years, formal Councilor 1999-2002, interviewed at Eziowelle on January

19th

, 2013.

8K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years, politician, interviewed at Eziowelle on December 3

rd, 2012.

9Okey Mou Aroh, 62years, legal practitioner and chairman Idemili North LGA 1999-2002,

interviewed at Atatete on October 11, 20012.

10K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years… interviewed.

68

11I. R. A. Ozigbo, A History of Igboland in the 19th and 20th Century (Enugu: Snaap Press,

1999), 84.

12Federal Republic of Nigeria, Handbook ….

13Okey Mou Aroh, 62 years, legal practitioner… interview cited.

14R. Weitz, Rural Planning in Developing countries (London:Routledge and Kegan Paul,

1983), 44.

15A.A Okafor, 62 years, farmer, interviewed at Umuoji on October 20

th, 2012.

16A.A Okafor, 62 years, farmer, … interview cited.

17A.A Okafor, 62 years, farmer, … interview cited.

18L. S. Wapmuk, “Local Government in Nigeria: Democratic Rebirth in Nigeria (African

Centres for Democratic Governance, Plainsbro N. J, 2005), 252.

19B. Usman, Analysis (Vol 1, 2002, no. 1.), 7.

20 L. S. Wapmuk, “Local Government in Nigeria…

21Ibrahim Omale, “The Meaning of and Rational for Community Development” in Omale,

Ibrahim and Ebilome, (Ed) Principles and Practices of Community Development in

Nigeria. (Makurdi: Aboke Publishers, 2005), 6-7.

22Oge Chudi-Ezelum, civil servant, interviewed at Abagana on February 20

th, 2014.

23O. Ewesi, 40 years, Councilor 1999-2002… interview cited.

24Bernard Ilonze, 54 years, commercial driver, interviewed at Uke on February 10

th,

2013.

25K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years… interview cited.

26A.A Okafor, 62 years, farmer … interview cited.

69

27see, ThisDay Newspaper of September 17

th, 2013.

70

CHAPTER FIVE

QUASI- DEMOCRACY, 2002-2010

The Concept of Quasi-Democracy

The concept of quasi-democracy, as applied here simply means the presence of

elected governors and an absence of elected local government chairmanship as is

supposed to be in democratic state. The concept of quasi- democracy in Idemili North

LGA involed that the people no longer elect local government chairmen and councilors

as enshrined in the constitution1 to manage the affairs of the local government. Rather,

respective Anambra state governors (Chinwoke Mbadinuju,Chris Ngige and Peter Obi)

continued to appoint and impose local government chairmen and care-taker committee

members on the people. From 2002 when the tenure of the last elected chairmen

expired, the situation is still the same. All the imposed/appointed local government

care-taker chairmen were only accountable to the governors that appointed them2.

Local government election was last conducted in Idemili North LGA (Anambra

State in general) on December 5, 1998. Since then, the governors have been running the

local government council through appointed care-taker committee, though the state

House of Assembly had directed governors to conduct local government chairmanship

and councillorship elections but all to no avail. The reasons given by the governors

varied. For some, there simply was no platform for elections while others insist that the

state governors were immune to the greed and drive for poor existing at the local

government level.3 however, a critical examination of this administration by

appointment shows that these governors are also the most beneficiaries of the system

71

as these appointed men are also answerable to the governors. Infact, actual local

government power and control rest with the governors.

Administrative set-up, 2002-2010

This section seeks to establish the link between the political structure (appointed

chairmen and caretakers committee) and the administrative structure. It will also review

the working of the local government from 2002 up to 2010.The administrative structure

of Idemili North Local government area 2002-2010 was hierarchical. The head of

administration was the secretary of the local government and was referred to as the

chief executive.4 The secretary was answerable to the various care-taker committee

chairmen. Under the secretary were departmental heads. These departments were

created to perform a group of functions in finance, personnel, agriculture, health,

works, social welfare, community development, research, sports and culture. The

Departments in the local government are explained below.

Administration and General Service Department: This was responsible for

administrative, management and control of staff of the local government. Other

functions included overseeing marriage registration and issuing marriage certificates to

married couples in various communities in the council areas. Between the period under

study, this department had issued more than 5, 000 marriage certificates4

Finance and General Service Department: This department was charged with the

financial discipline of the various departments. It also prepared and published monthly

and annual financial statements of the local government council. Due to paucity of

written documents in this department, study here was blurred. This is to indicate our

72

limitation and not to invoke pessimism. The department hardly published its financial

reports of the local government council. Evidence of this was shown in 2009 where the

LGA failed to submit its recurrent expenditure by economic category. In fact, out o the

21 LGAs, Idemili North, Idemili South, Aguta, Awka North, Njikoka and Orumber South

LGAs did not turn in their expenditure reports for the year.5

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BY ECONOMICS CATEGORY AND LGA, 2009

A reason for this was the fact that financial dealings during this period were mostly the

exclusive reserve of the various caretaker committee chairmen and other higher

members. The department whose responsibility it was to oversee the local government

LGA WAGES AND

SALARIES

PURCHASE OF

GOODS

PURCHASE OF

SERVICES

TOTAL

Aguata 0.00

Anambra East 166,581,865.60 58.140052.63 165,518,865.60

Anambra West 176,702,644.00 56,815,641.00 16,851,526.00 250,369,811.00

Anaocha 167,834,703.00 56,122,142.00 223,956,845.00

Awka North 0.00

Awka South 199,379,985.84 16,932,323.53 52,325,142.60 268,637,451.97

Ayamelum 320,026,208.54 782,055,894.00 1,102,082,202.54

Dunukofia 0.00

Ekwusigo 122,594,230.63 305,046,509.89 183,082,665.30 610,723,405.82

Idemili North 0.00

Idemili South 0.00

Ihiala 121,015,497.00 144,257,170.00 5,055,336.00 270.328,003.00

Njikoka 0.00

Nnewi North 146,088,518.62 32,431,153.69 171,336,044.33 349,855,716.64

Nnewi South 11,042,097,765.00 73,797,397.06 11,115,895,162.06

Ogbaru 195,002,185.32 54,447,348.96 249,449,534.28

Onitsha North 191,231,984.91 98,970,832.75 13,630,327.85 303,833,145.51

Onitsha South 398,493,565.72 190,666,204.86 589,159,770.58

Orumba North 151,027,627.00 17,531,810.00 123,446,209.00 292,005,646.00

Ourmba South 0.00

Oyi 138,480,743.20 93,616,580.97 232,097,324.17

ANAMBRA STATE 13,536,557,624.38 918,773,787.72 1,569,644,472.07 16,024,975,884.17

73

finances and render an account was hardly carried along. This brings to question the

credibility and accountability of these appointed chairmen.

Planning, Research and Statistic Department was responsible for planning,

budgeting of various departmental needs for effective and efficient running of the local

government council. Since most of the departments in the local government were not

effectively and efficiently run, one would be forced to conclude that the planning,

research and statistic department lagged behind in their functions. In fact, statistical

data on the local government administration during the period of study was not found.

Information relate that the local government hardly generate any official statistic either

of budgets, expenditure, allocations, executed projects or allocation. Again, this pokes

at the public integrate of the administrators and lay bare the lackluster disposition of

political office hoders in Nigeria.

Agricultural and Natural Resources Department: This department was saddled

with the responsibilities of supervision of agricultural extension programmes/projects,

collection of data on agricultural extension services and distribution of fertilizers to

various communities to enhance food production. Interference from the political

structure of the local government, nepotism, non co-operative attitude of some

nefarious members of some communities had hindered the responsibilities of this

department. For instance, political structure of the local government during this period

hardly made available any fertilizer for distribution. Even when they did, certain greedy

officials hijack the distributions of the fertilizers and sold them to make personal gains.

74

Health Department was responsible for efficient functioning of various primary

health centres in the council area. According to an informant, Esther Olikaeze, the

department often makes recommendation to the committees chairman and members

through their head of department but in the end nothing tangible would come out of it.6

Simply put, a significant department was neglected.

Social, Education, Information, Sports and Cultural Department: This department

was responsible for a lot of things that were related and affected various communities

in the LGA. It had a multiplicity of tasks and sectors. The social section was saddled with

the responsibilities to assist youth club formation, at the village level, reconcile child

custody dispute in broken homes among other functions. The education section was

responsible for adult education and vocational education in various communities. The

information unit served as a link between the local government council and the people.

Works Department was responsible for the execution and supervision of various

projects carried out in the local government area.

It should be noted that there was a harmonization of functions between the

political structure and the administrative structure of the local government. The political

structure (care-taker committee and appointed supervisors) appointed by various

Anambra state governors were responsible for making laws and policies. They also

approved budget estimates. The care-taker chairman worked with the secretary and

heads of departments to implement policies agreed upon by the political structure. Each

administrative structure was assigned a political head who was known as supervisor.

The supervisors regulated the activities of heads of departments assigned to them.

75

Policies agreed upon in the executive council (care-taker committee) were implemented

by those supervisors through their various heads of departments. The heads of

departments also channeled the needs and activities of their departments to the council

via their supervisors. For the period under study, the legislative arm of the local

government was vested on the undemocratically appointed care-taker committee

members who really did not represent the masses or any political ward as opposed to

elected councilors.

Idemili North LGA under Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju 2002-2003

In Anambra state, local government chairmen were billed to be in office for a

period of three years7 after which a fresh election was supposed to be held. But after

the expiration of Okey Mou Aroh’s tenure as the elected chairman of Idemili North LGA

in 2002, Mbadinuju, who was the Governor of the state, failed to conduct another local

government election in the state. Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju blamed his inability to

conduct council election on insecurity that engulfed the state at the twilight of his

administration and intimidation from godfathers. It would be recalled that Mbadinuju

had a running battle with Emeka Offor who was said to have sponsored him to become

Anambra state governor. It was alleged that Mbadinuju failed to recognize and honour

agreements he had with Offor prior to his (Mbadinuju) becoming the governor.

Anambra state was consumed in grim battles for political survival; hence Mbadinuju was

not bothered with local government election. He was interested on how to do away

with Emeka Offor and secure his selfish ambition of becoming the governor of the state

76

for a second term. This crises situation did not allow for due planning of local

government election in the state.

2002 marked a turning point in the political life of the people of Idemili North

LGA. There was a shift from popular choice politics marked by recognition and

acceptance of a politician by the people to state based political play whereby those that

were popular with the state governors found their way to the corridors of powers.

Politics in the local government became state government based rather than local

government focused. Those perceived to sincerely possess the will power to deliver

democratic dividends were not given the chance, rather those popular at the corridors

of power were appointed by the governors. Some of them were not even from the ten

communities that make up the local government.8 Appointment was for those that were

amenable to the governor of the time. Most members of the care taker committee

were ostensibly interested in promoting the powers of the state governor who

appointed them rather than what was to be beneficial to the communities. Political

participation dwindled drastically during the period under study. The people were no

longer involved in the political processes. Caretaker committee chairmen and members

were appointed at will without any consideration to the mode of the people.

Chinwoke Mbadinuju appointed Edwin Ekwuino as the first care taker committee

chairman (June 2002-October 2002) of the local government following the end of Okey

Mou Aroh tenure. Edwin Ekwuino was appointed to hold office for a while as to prepare

ground for the next local government election. However, his tenure as chairman was

too short to provide any significant change in the LGA. Nevertheless, as K.C.Ejimnkonye

77

relates, Ekwuino made recommendations to the state government on the need to build

new markets in other to decongest the popular Onithsha main market.9 The

recommendation if followed up would surely have impacted positively on the economic

wellbeing of the people of Idemili North LGA.

Nikky Nwabueze was appointed the next chairman. Her appointment came with

great dismay in the LGA as there was pressure on Governor Mbadinuju to conduct a

local government election. During this period, women were not fully involved in politics

of the area. Politics in the area were dominated by male who looked forward to be

elected local government chairmen; least they expected was the Governor appointing a

woman to administer the local government. Nikky Nwabueze only lasted for three

months in office as caretaker person from November 2002 to February 2003. Thus, no

meaningful development took place.

Due to pressure against the appointment of Nikky Nwabuze, Ben Mozie was

appointed to stabilize the growing tension in the local government. As a reverend

gentleman, he was expected to use his status to lure the people in support of the

government. At the end, no meaningful economic development took place. Ben Mozie

lasted for only two months and left office at the end of Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s

tenure in May 2003. From May 2002 to May 2003, it could be said that no meaningful

economic development took place in the area mostly because of political instability and

limited time to plan. Thus the administration of Idemili North LGA under Governor

Mbadinuju cannot be said to have yielded beneficial dividends as one caretaker

committee was replaced by another within the shortest time possible. It therefore goes

78

without saying that brief truncated tenures yielded no reward especially to the citizens

who are expected to enjoy certain basic dividends of democracy at grassroot level.

Idemili North LGA under Governor Chris Ngige, 2003-2006

After Ngige became the governor in 2003, he appointed Uche Edeziorah as

chairman of the care-taker committee and in turn chairman of the local government

from June 2003-May 2006. Uche Ezediorah envisaged the sufferings of the people and

was prepared to make an impact especially in the area of education and skills

acquisition. The focus of Uche Ezediorah was to encourage education and create the

enabling environment for children to go to school, which was to be a useful instrument

of development and economic growth. The state of education in the local government

was not the best after a prolonged teachers strike in 2001. The standard fell far behind.

Some teachers even migrated to “urban” schools at Onitsha, Nkpor and Ogidi to the

detriment of schools in the interior like Abacha, Uke and Ideani. Most bright students

even dropped out of school either due to lack of financial support, sheer lack of

motivation by the parents and even the government or inadequate child educational

upbringing. There was a change in the attitude of teachers during the chairmanship of

Uche Ezediorah as incentives were given to teacher. Such incentives included additional

allowances to the teachers; end of term welfare packages, food items and at some

point, an improved wage structure. This prompted a drift back to the rural villages of the

LGA as teachers who had hitherto migrated to the urban areas were persuaded by these

incentives to return to the area they had left. In 2005, Uche Ezediorah introduced, for

79

the first time in Idemili North LGA, the Early Child Care Education (ECCE) to provide

quality educational background to children from the local government. Some of these

early child care education centres were located more in urban centres. Even though

certain ECCE policies were not adequately followed, the Chairmanship of Uche

Ezediorah contributed immensely in ensuring the maintenance of standards of

education in the local government council area. The communities also jointly

contributed in the financial upkeep of schools through community fund raising and

individual donations.

Before Uche Ezediorah left office in 2006, the administration was able to build

and commission the Chinua Achebe library situated at the local government secretariat.

The building also housed the Skilled Acquisition and Information Technological Centre.

The construction was said to run into millions of naira10

. The present writer benefitted

from the library during the course of this research. Even though the library can only

accommodate few users (at most 15 users at a time) and was not fully equipped, it was

nonetheless a laudable achievement and a development the people highly welcomed.

For one thing, the library stimulated learning especially for the youths. Also, it housed

certain books related to the history of the people of Idemili North. Parents even

encouraged their children to visit the library. Even then, Uche Ezediorah administration

also encouraged local communities to build public libraries in their various communities

as they would foster learning and healthy reading culture.

The acquisition centre employed about five skilled workers whose tasks were to

train interested candidates on a variety of skills for a fee ranging from N5, 000 to N10,

80

000 depending on the duration and skills intended to acquire. The skill acquisition

requisite knowledge to train these candidates on how to make cloths, decorative beads,

crafts, and so on. In fact, all the skilled workers employed to teach at the centre were

craftsmen proficient in one handicraft or the other. The information and technology

centre was to acquaint staff of the local government and the public on the need for

information technology. The centre had 15 computer sets for a start. The computers

were intended to be connected to internet service. However, the proposed connection

to the internet failed due to insufficient fund at the initial stage and the sudden removal

of Uche Ezediorah from office after Chris Ngige lost his acclaimed mandate to Peter Obi.

Chris Ngige’s (2003-2006) failure to conduct local government elections was also

blamed on insecurity and political crises. It should be recalled that in 2004 when the

state was preparing for a local government election, a three-day mayhem destroyed

many government property, including the headquarters of Anambra State Independent

Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) and acclaimed election materials set ablaze.11

This thus,

culminated in the termination of the planned local government election. Under Chris

Ngige as Governor, Idemili North LGA had only one administrator. The stability of and

non interference in the Uche Ezediorah administration by the Governor brought about

improvement especially in the area of education. Some schools were renovated and

teachers’ welfare improved. There were no needless strikes. Some roods were

constructed and rural electrification projects also carried out.

Idemili North LGA under Governor Peter Obi, 2006-2010

81

Legitimacy was restored to Anambra state governance on March 15, 2006 when

Peter Obi retrieved his stolen mandate through the court of law but he did not come to

terms on the conduct of local government election. Governor Peter Obi’s failure to

conduct local government election was blamed on insecurity in the state, political

instability, pending court cases, non-budgetary provision for the exercise in 2007, INEC

inability to provide new voters’ registration and litigation over the removal of Anambra

State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) chairman.

Governor Peter Obi was skeptical to conduct local government election under

Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) headed by Cornel Umeh, a

man appointed by Chris Ngige (Peoples’ Democratic Party led government) when he was

the governor before the court removed him. Governor Peter Obi felt that with ANSIEC

chairman appointed by Peoples’ Democratic Party, if election was to be conducted it

might not be free and fair to the governor’s All Progressive Grand Alliance. Bearing in

mind that All Progressive Grand Alliance did not have the majority in the State House of

Assembly, the Governor needed a platform to control the state, and thus, he suspended

local government election and appointed local government administrators that would

be loyal to him and to his political ambitions.

Governor Peter Obi appointed Emeka Akabueze as Chairman between May 2006

to March 2007. Emeka Akubueze enumerated his economic agenda for the local

government. They included, empowering young men and women through craft works

such as iron smelting, weaving, basketry, poultry making and so on. By October 2006,

the skill acquisition centre could not accommodate thousands of people that sought to

82

acquire skills. More skilled workers had to be employed to aid in teaching. Workshops

were organized at the local government headquarters, Ogidi civic centre and Nkpor civic

centre to accommodate people on the art of capacity building. Ezekwe, Agather12

and

Okonkwo Chika13

who were beneficiaries of the programmes were skeptical about the

capacity building (skill acquisition). For them, the skill acquisition organized by the local

government was a welcome development and it improved their knowledge and skill in

making of beads, soap, detergent, cake and so on. Though, it laid the foundation for skill

acquisition for some people, for some, their expectations were not fully realized. For

instance they were expecting the local government to, at least, give them soft loans to

start off their own business. But that was not to be.

In April 2007, Amaechi Ekume was appointed chairman of the local government.

In an interview with him, he sincerely stated that his administration achieved little in

economic development because before they could settle down for business before they

were removed from office in July 2007.14

John Obodzie became the next appointed chairman after Amaechi Ekume from

August 2007 to July 2008. John Obodzie was notable for establishment of local

government owned poultry farm at Ogidi with about 2,000 chicks. The aim was to

increase internal revenue generation for the local government and to make meat

available at a cheaper rate for the people. The poultry farm employed about five

persons but at the end no meaningful dividend came out of it because the project was

abandoned shortly after John Obodozie was removed from office.

83

Frank Mabuike became the appointed chairman after John Obodzie from August

2008-July 2011. The research ended in 2010 when Governor Peter Obi’s first tenure in

office expired. The chairmanship of Frank Mabuike, like his predecessor, made slow

policy implementation. In his project description, he set out to establish a Fire Service

Unit at the local government headquarters, equip health centres with ambulances and

drugs, teach agricultural workers on technologies of ornamental trees, and to meet the

stakeholders quarterly from all the communities. These propositions ran into millions of

naira. At the time of writing this report, there was no evidence of these projects.

If elections were allowed to be held in the local government between 2002-

2010, the local government would have boasted of about three different elected local

government chairmen as against eight that existed. Some of the local government care-

taker chairmen only lasted for a few months, especially during Mbadinuju’s tenure in

office. For instance, Edwin Ekwuino was there for four months, June 2002 to October

2003, Nikky Nwabueze, November 2002 to February 2003, while Ben Mozie lasted for

two months, March 2003 to July 2003. Amachi Ekume lasted for three months, April

2007 to July 2007 during the tenure of Peter Obi 2006-2010. This also meant that no

meaningful development took place during this period. The appointment of local

government chairmen did not justify the existence of local government. And as posited

by Enemuo “local government provides the people with a platform to conduct their own

affairs in line with their local needs, aspirations, resources and customs”15

As stated in chapter two of this work, “the behavior of a people is a direct

output of the environment in which they find themselves”16

. The local government

84

environment had changed as the psychological disposition towards the local

government activities is no longer zealous like what was obtainable before now. The

people during this period saw local government and caretaker committee as only good

in paying salaries to workers. They lost confidence in the authenticity and legitimacy of

local government. The local government caretaker cared less about the aspirations of

the people.17

The loss of confidence in the caretaker committee system made the people of

Idemili North dinterested any in the activities of the local government. Furthermore, a

large percentage of the people in idemili North LGA could not tell who the LGA

chairmen were during this period. This was because of the unpopularity in providing

developmental projects to the people and partly because they lacked the people’s

mandate to become chairmen. In the same vein, traditional rulers and community

leaders who were more likely to convince the people to support a government

programme did not succeed due to the negligence on the part of caretaker committee

chairmen who desisted partnering with traditional rulers and community

“stakeholders,” hence the consequence was lack of societal support. The symbiotic

relationship that existed between the local government and the people became a farce.

As O.N. Njoku rightly posited, every economy operates within a social and

political context which it influences or is influenced by it. For him, “the full picture of an

economy therefore emerges only when it is placed against its social and political

milieu”18

. Based on O. N. Njoku’s assertion, when one places the social and political

milieu against the economy of Idemili North LGA from 2002-2010, the picture to a

85

reasonable extent is abysmal as it exemplifies corruption, poverty, political indiscipline,

lack of accountability, misplaced priority and so thrived. The hope for good governance

relating to democratic dividends and continuity was dashed because the people saw

nothing beneficial from LGAs run by caretakers instead of a democratically elected

government. The situation of women and children did not improve because of the

unfavorable political and socio-economic conditions of the local government. Politically,

women in the local government became apolitical as politics was seen as a male

dominated affair. Even a few literate women were not considered in policy making and

administration maybe because of their nature as women or the local government was

male dominated19

. The rate of infant mortality increased during this period. There was

no provision of child health care programmes during this period. Some of the Health

Care Centres in various communities were in dilapidating condition and a sorry sight to

behold. Such conditions were enough to damn the future of the younger generation and

impact negatively on the nation’s future.

From data gathered on LGA revenue, capital expenditure, and cost of self help

projects in the 21 LGAs in Anambra state, it is clear that the people did not reap the full

benefits of their emergent democracy. According to the state Bureau of statistics,

Idemili North LGA revenue was over N 400, 000, 000.00 which ranged from statutory

allocation, vat, 13% derivation, direct tax, excess derivation, fines, fees and licenses and

other income.20

in 2010, Idemili North LGA had statutory allocation of N 426, 784, 412.

00 while N 9,732,850.00 was generated from levies, fines, licenses and other form of

86

fees paid by the people. In total, the LGA generated N436, 517,262.00 as revenue for

use in the local government area.21

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA REVENUE BY TYPE,2010

(N’000)

LGA STATUTORY

ALLOCATIO

N

GRANTS

TO LGA

GOVERNME

NT DIRECT

TAXES

FEES, FINES

LICENCES

AND OTHERS

OTHER

INCOME

PENALTI

ES

TOTAL

Aguata 432,000,000

.00

15,000,0

00.00

1,447,000,0

0

2,744,000.00 4,166,00

0.00

455,357,000.0

0

Anambra East 0.00

Anambra

West

372,022,521

.90

1,636,676.5

0

3,991,640.52 657,761.

12

378,308,600.0

4

Anaocha 0.00

Awka North 220,079,471

.31

15,400.00 621,360.00 570,930.

00

221,287,431.3

1

Awka South 384,298,965

.75

4,234,780.0

0

3,339,020.00 537,451.

00

392,410,216.7

5

Ayamelum 72,742,000.

00

21,416,7

06.00

9,055,000.0

0

18,090,000.0

0

121,503,706.0

0

Dunukofia 310,538,088

.06

163,450.00 1,630,300.00 312,331,838.0

6

Ekwusigo 0.00

Idemili North 426,784,412

.00

9,732,850.00 436,517,262.

00

Idemili South 285,043,641

.00

62,600.00 1,769,075.00 931,500.

00

287,806,816.0

0

Ihiala 302,365,660

.00

242,270.00 3,106,620.00 305,714,550.0

0

Njikoka 738,151,040

.00

131,830.00 4,013,029.00 742,298,899.0

0

Nnewi North 726,636,482

.00

20,000,0

00.00

32,010,000.

00

40,550,100.0

0

129,000,

000.00

Nnewi South 0.00

Ogbaru 346,647,842

.05

28,251,5

00.00

1,92,320.00 5,014,69

8.74

381,106,360.7

9

Onitsha North 519,800,174

.14

626,200.00 2,539,570.00 522,965,944.1

4

Onitsha South 0.00

Orumba

North

445,162,595

.00

58,300.00 1,632,319.00 5,053,06

5.00

451,906,279.0

0

87

Ourmba

South

0.00

Oyi 279,719,853

.00

98,250.00 2,833,620.00 282,651,723.0

0

ANAMBRA

STATE

5,862,195,7

46.21

84,668,2

06.00

49,781,756.

50

97,780,093.5

2

145,931,

405.86

6,240,363,208

.00

Source:2010 Anambra State Statistical Year Book.

Sadly though, the administration spent only N71,952,257.08 on roads, N6,000,000.00 on

hospital and maternity, N 13,985,07-00 on schools and N3,400.00 on water projects.

The total amount spent on these projects in 2010 was N95,327.08.22

this seriously

boogles the mind especially in consideration of the fact that the most important

projects were not executed whereas the government had enough in its purse.

88

End Notes

1 K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years, politician, interviewed at Eziowelle on December 3

rd, 2012.

2 Federal Republic of Nigeria, Handbook on Local Government Administration (Lagos:

Government Printers, 1999)

3 Okechukwu Eme, “2007-2008 Local Government Elections in Nigeria: History,

Controversies and Challenges ahead” in Tony Onyishi (Ed) Key Issues in local

Government and Development: A Nigerian Perspective (Enugu: Praise House Publishers,

2011)

4 Esther Olikaeze, 47 years, PRO Idemili North LGA, Interviewed at Ogidi on November

10th

, 2012.

5 Anambra State Government of Nigeria, 2009 Anambra Statistical Year Book, (Ministry

of Economic Planning and Budget, 2009), 53.

6 Esther Olikaeze, 47 years,… interview cited

7 Esther Olikaeze, 47 years,… interview cited.

8 K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years,… interview cited.

9 K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years,… interview cited.

10 F. C. Enemuo, “Decentralization and Local Government” in Anifowose, R. and Enemuo,

F. (ed) Element of Politics (Lagos: Mathouse Press ltd, 1999)31.

11 Vanguard Newspaper “State of Democracy in LGAs: Anambra Jinxed” in Vanguard

Newspaper of April 18, 2013 (Nigeria: Vanguard Media Limited),31.

12 Esther Olikaeze, 47 years… interview cited.

89

13 A. J. C. Mole and C. L. Dim, “Meeting the Challenges of Governance at the Grassroot

through Public Libraries, Information Services” in E. J. Otagburuagu, et al. (Ed)

Governance at the GrassRoots (Enugu: Benak Ventures, 2010)88-89.

14 Agather Ezekwe, 36 years, Fashion Designer, interviewed at Eziowelle on March 13

th,

2013.

15 Chika Okonkwo, 29 years, Bead designer, interviewed at Eziowelle on March 13

th,

2013.

16 Amaechi Ekwume, 52 years, politician, interviewed at Ogidi on November 13th, 2012.

17 A. Nwankwo, “The Igbo and the Traditional Politics: An Overview” in U.D. Anyanwu

and J. C. U. Aguuora (ed) The Igbo and the Traditional Politics (Enugu: Fourth Dimension

Publishing co. ltd. 1993)3.

18 K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years… interview cited.

19 K. C. Ejimnkonye, 68 years… interview cited.

20 Anambra State Government of Nigeria, 2010 Anambra Statistical Year Book, (Ministry

of Economic Planning and Budget, 2010), 37.

21 Anambra State Government of Nigeria, 2010…., 38.

22 Anambra State Government of Nigeria, 2010…., 41.

90

CHAPTER SIX

Conclusion

The study examined local government administration in Idemili North LGA from

1996-2010. Idemili North LGA is a region with an expense of land covering some 43:756

kilometers and a population of over 431,000.1 Within the period of study, the local

government has had a series of chairman, elected and appointed. These administrators

were expected to harness the resources available to them and draw dividends of

democracy to the people especially since government of that level was at the grassroot.

Themes and sub-themes throughout the study analyzed the performances of these

administrators and their impacts on the lives of the masses, key sectors like the health,

education, agriculture and human development among others were also analyze to

ascertain how far the chairmen were able to provoke a positive and beneficed change

on behalf of the people. However, findings from this study showed that the end result

and reality greatly betrayed the expectations of the masses, even despite the

proliferation of markets in the region which generated revenue for the government.

Sadly, the period under study witnessed serious setbacks and instability. From the

study, administration after administration was randomly terminated as appointments

became the order of the day. The people rarely exercised their political mandate to vote

and appointed officials often chaired the LGA on the whims of their appointees, the

state governors. Beyond that, most appointed LGA chairman had very short terms in

office. This trend was an unhealthy one for the LGA which truncated any meaningful

development and caused great administrative instability. In the end, very little was

91

achieved. Even more worrisome during this period was the fact that corruption ate deep

into the political fabrics of the LGA. Most chairmen were also not sincere and

accountable. This situation aptly reiterates the problem with local government

administration in idemili North in particular and Nigeria in general-leadership. Bad

leadership has been the bone of Nigeria’s democracy.

B.C. Osisiomo rightly captured the situation in idemili North LGA when he

wrote that,

The reality on ground emphasized the crying needs of a people

for responsive and responsible leadership; the trouble with Nigeria

is the failure of leadership at all levels of government. The tragedy

of our national failure…is leadership bereft of ideas and good

conscience. Nigeria’s paradox of want in the midst of plenty is a

result of the failure of leadership.2

Leadership problem seem to have bedeviled ldemili North LGA during the period of

study. Purposeful programmes could not materialize due to bad leadership and

corruption. Sometimes too, the local government leaders lacked the zeal and will power

to implement policies and execute projects for public benefit. However, to arrogate

such administrative cum political misdeed to the chairmen alone will be subjectively

unfair. Sometimes, even when projects were approved to be executed certain

unscrupulous and greedy officials also diverted these projects for their own selfish and

personal gain. Hence, it is safe to state that the entire system of local government

administration was affected by the decadence and dishonesty that was noticeable at the

top.

Also, the failure by Governors Mbadinuju, Ngige and Obi to conduct local

government elections and rather appoint caretaker committee chairmen created a chair

92

of instability in office. Such instability brings no positives at all. Rather it contributes to

retarding meaningful development in the area. From this standpoint, one can also

conclude that the state governors, to whom these care taker chairmen are answerable,

also contributed to the problems that faced the LGA. Tacitly or inadvertently, they

derived growth and progress of the LGA.

However, to conclude that no meaningful development took place at all within

the period of study in Idemili North LGA would be to absolutely negate and even neglect

a historical fact. Granted, expectations were not realized especially when weighed with

the results or reality. Nonetheless, as shown from the analysis of the chapters, some

LGA chairmen also initiated and even executed some projects. Some embarked on rood

construction or reconstruction while other engaged in community water projects, rural

electrification projects, health and educational sectors improvement, some villages

benefitted from the projects executed and some of the projects are also beneficial even

today, even though most have been poorly managed.

Conclusively, local government administration is a very vital tier of government.

This fact is a truism even in relation to Idemili North LGA. It is the only arm of

government that brings the people closer to the government. Therefore, the local

government is in dire need of leaders who are really willing to serve, honest and

accountable. Moreover, local government chairmen must prove accountable to the

people and show a sincere aptitude to help the masses and attend to their needs and

aspirations. Granted, it does not take just one administration to achieve all these, it

does not even take the leaders alone, it is a gradual process which involves both the

93

leaders and the led. The leaders should be allowed time in office so that they can plan

and be productive. In fact, expecting any meaningful development from a chairman

whose tenure in office was only three months most definitely will amount to asking too

much. Random termination of LGA chairmen’s tenure on flimsy grounds must be

discouraged. The people also must be involved in order to attain the desired collective

result. They have a role to play in the good governance a leadership initiative after all,

they are the people vested with the real power. As in a contract, they have decided to

rest such power on the government and the government is bound to serve the people’s

needs. Hence, they should be allowed to elect their officials into office and exercise

their mandates. Elected officials should also endeavour to work with the people and

listen to them. Importantly too, the 1999 constitution which allows for state

intervention and interference in local government affairs should be revisited so that the

LGAs can attain the autonomy it deserves without wanton state control. This would give

the local governments control of statutory allocations and enable them plan to effect

development. Chairmanship elections should be conducted by the country’s electoral

body. This would remove bias, especially since the state electoral commission heads are

always appointed by the governors in power. The point being made is that the local

governments should be allowed their local autonomy and over certain issues pertaining

to the LGA.

This study finally draws on suggestions that democracy being attitudinal in

nature entails commitment, openness and seriousness and until Nigeria is taken in by

94

such ideals, the aspiration of good governance through democratic institutions, like the

local government administration, might well be a farce.

95

End Notes

1. www.citypopulation.com assessed on October14, 2013.

2. B. C. Osisioma “Beyond the 7 point Agenda: Matters Arising” in B. C. Osisioma

(Ed) Agenda 20:2020 Redesigning Nigeria’s Future. (Enugu: EL. Desnak

publishers, 2008) 52

96

Sources and Bibliography

Primary sources

Oral sources (see appendix)

Archival materials

NAE CSE, 9/13/3, No. 43/929, memorandum from A.D.D Ahaoda M.P.M Riley to the

Resident Owerri Province, 29 June 1929

NAE ORLDIST, 1/86/89, Report on Idemili Disturbances, 1910.

NAE ORLDIST, 3/1/340, C/752, Handing over Notes of Mr. J. A.G. Mc Call (ADO) Orlu, to

Mr. G.L

Jones (D. O), Orlu.

NAE ORLDIST, 13/1/27 Intelligence Report on Northern and Southern Groups of the Isu

Clan in

Orlu District by G.L. Jones, 1931

NAE C.S.O. 2/4/1. Moor to secretary of state, January 1902.

NAE. C.S.E 1/85/1006. Annual Report, Orlu Province, 1004.

Official Government Documents

Government of Anambra State of Nigeria, 2009 Statistical Year Book, Anambra State

Government of Nigeria. Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, 2007

______________, 2008 Statistical Year Book, Anambra State Government of Nigeria….

_________________________ 2009 Statistical Year Book, Anambra State Government

of Nigeria

97

__________________________ 2010 Statistical Year Book, Anambra State Government

of Nigeria

98

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101

1. Mrs. Olikeze Ester C. 47 PRO Idemili North

LGA 2012-date

Civil Servant Ogidi 10/09/2012

2. Mrs. Ezemo Azuka C.50 Commissioner for

Local Government

Affairs

Civil Servant Awka 14/10/2012

3. Mr. Orjiakor Elias C.48 Civil Servant Awka 10/10/2012

4. Chief Okey MuoAroh C.62 Idemili North LGA

Chairman 1999-2002

Retired Civil

Servant

Abatete 10/10/2012

5. Igwe M.U. Okonkwo Etusi C.72 Traditional Ruler

Ezionelle Community

Trader Eziowelle 14/11/2012

6. Nze T.F. Mmegbuameze C.40 President General

Eziowelle

Improvement Union

Trader Eziowelle 10/12/2012

7. Mr. Okudo E.A C.71 Retired Civil Servant Retired Civil

Servant

Ogidi 18/10/2012

8. Mr. Ezenwammadu P. C.80 Retired Civil Servan Retired Civil

Servant

Abatete 03/11/2013

9. Mrs. Okeke Uche C.46 Woman Leader Civil Servant Abatete 03/11/2012

10. Mrs. Amobi Grace C.60 Woman Leader

Permanent member

Universal Basic

Education Board

Public Servant Awka 04/11/2012

11. Mr. Akabueze M.E C.52 Acting Chairman

Idemili North LGA

2006-2007

Civil Servant Ogidi 16/11/2012

12. Mr. Ejimnkonye K.C. C.68 Deputy Chairman

Idemili LGA 1993-

1996

Politician Eziowelle 30/09/2012

13. Mr. Ezeka Raph. C.68 Season Politician Trader Ideani 03/12/2012

14. Mr. Nnakwuzi Vincent C.38 Secretary LEEDS

Committee Idemili

North LGA

Civil Servant Ogidi 16/11/2012

15. Mr. Amaechi Ekume C.52 Acting Chairman

Idemili North LGA

April 1997- June

1997

Politician Ogidi 18/01/2013

16. Mr. Ewesi O. C.42 Councilor

representing

Eziowelle 1999-2002

Businessman Eziowelle 19/1/2013

APPENDIX 1

ORAL INTERVIWERS

102

17. Mrs. Nduaguba, B. 50 Trader Trader Eziowelle 14/11/2013

18. Mrs. Chudi-Ezelum, Oge 48 Head of Personnel

Management

Civil servant Abagana 18/04/2014