SUSTAINING GOOD GOVERNANCE THROUGH EFFECTIVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN NIGERIA

A FOCUS ON STATE-LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Abstract

Intergovernmental relations are basically one of the fundamental tenets of federalism. Effective IGR practice is a sin qua non for the sustenance of good governance in a federation like Nigeria. IGR and good governance are two indispensible variables for the development of a multi-tier Nigerian State. This explanatory discourse is aimed at examining the challenges faced by Nigeria in achieving good governance through effective IGR among the three tiers of government in namely; the federal, state and local governments. The study further argued that the fundamental cause of stunted development among the three tiers of government especially at the grassroots is the skewed, uncooperative and competitive IGR orchestrated by lack of devolution of power and the structural imbalance in the Nigerian federalism which has offered leeway to the states to plunder the funds of local governments. Utilizing the structural-functionalism theory especially as espoused by Almond and Powell (1966), the article explained how and why existing structures of Nigerian federalism affect its ability to function for the development of the state. The study applied a qualitative research method, utilizing data from the secondary source while content analysis and trends analytical techniques were adopted for data analysis. The study found out that the major setback to good governance in the three tiers of government in Nigerian federation is the failure of the 1999 constitution to provide for active synergy and clear devolution of power among the units of government. Since law is the only effective means of social control, the study recommended the unambiguous provision of a model of IGR which must protect the powers and functions of the constituent parts of the federation. The study concluded that good governance is not possible because of the violation of doctrine of non-interference.