Grassroots governance have been argued to be a crucial mechanism for realizing rural development in Nigeria. This argument is premised on the fact that grassroots governance represents governments at the rural or local level, that is, one that is closest to the people and, one that can easily identify the needs and aspirations of the people in a more accessible, participatory and can mobilize the people to actualize their development. The above solidifies the foundation for the establishment of local governments through which grassroots governance is realized. Sadly, there have been a number of challenges that have identified to mar and inhibit the efficiency and effectiveness of grassroots government in Nigeria, in ensuring the realization of the qualitative and quantitative transformation of the rural communities. These factors include corruptions, financial lack, administrative bottlenecks, political usurpation of local government by the state, external interference in the activities of grassroots governments, etc. Thus, this paper sought to interrogate the challenges of grassroots governance in Esan West LGA and how it impact rural development. In doing this, the paper adopted the descriptive survey research and system theory by David Easton. The paper drew information from secondary sources to exhaustively deal with the subject matter in qualitative terms. It was however found that the challenges hindering grassroots governance in Esan West Local Government are a product of both internal/local and external factors that include political, economic, administrative bottlenecks which has impacted negatively on the trajectory of rural development in the council area and in Edo State in general. Therefore, the paper recommended among other things that in addition to granting financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria, Esan West Local Government should put in place adaptive mechanism for feedback from the people it strives to serve and for whose purpose grassroots governance exits. The Current disconnection between the communities and the local government leadership should be urgently ameliorated in order to build public trust and confidence.
Administration, Financial Autonomy, Grassroots Governance, Local Government, Rural Development
IRE Journals:
Oboite, Jonathan Alele
"Grassroots Governance and the Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria: A Study of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 12 2023 Page 405-417
IEEE:
Oboite, Jonathan Alele
"Grassroots Governance and the Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria: A Study of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State." Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(12)