Local Government and Grassroots Political Participation: Analysis of Isi Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State Nigeria, 1999 to 2019

Abstract

Every level of government is constitutionally required to provide essential services to all citizens within their jurisdiction, and this could be satisfactorily achieved through mechanisms that insure citizen participation. Hence, grassroots political participation in local government’s level affairs presupposes direct contact with the people to allow them to be actively involved in initiating and innovating measures that leave beneficial impact. This reality, stirred the thought to examine the extent to which local government administrations particularly that of Isi Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria encourages grassroots political participation in the current democratic dispensation (1999 and 2019). David Easton’s System theory, which posits that the political system is the basic unit of analysis in understanding the dynamic interactions and effects of all political actors, was adopted as theoretical framework. According to the theory there is an implicit interdependence between the system and its environment and a change in one affects the others. The data for the study were collected using interview, observations, focus group discussions (FGD) and questionnaires as primary source, while textbooks, journals, internet resources are the secondary source. The necessary data were analyzed with content analyses and T-test statistical analyses. The study found out that people do not participate effectively in governance in Isi Uzo LGA. The researcher however recommended credible elections at the grassroots and community involvement in governmental decision making process.