CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Local Government is seen as political subdivision of a nation, which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs. It is regarded as the third tier of government in Nigeria, created for the purpose of grass-root development (UNO, 1961 in Ogbeni, 2007). In Nigeria the system of local government has over the year’s undergone series of changes, beginning from when the British colonial administration introduced the native authority system. In 1921 the basic structure of this native authority system features prominently throughout the country and continued until 1950s, the period Nigerians began to participate actively in legislative functions (Hassan, 2002).

The poverty situation in Nigeria is galloping. Despite several attempts by successive governments to ameliorate the scourge, Eze (2009:447) explains that the level of poverty is geometrically increasing (Okpe and Abu, 2009:205). Poverty is deep and pervasive, with about 70 percent of the population living in absolute poverty (Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo and Muhtar, 2003:1; the Punch Newspaper, 2009:14). The ballooning poverty situation notwithstanding, Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources. Chukwuemeka (2009:405) observes that the country is blessed with natural and human resources, but in the first four decades of its independence, the potentials remained largely untapped and even mismanaged (Omotola, 2008:497). Putting the problem in proper perspective, Nwaobi (2003:5) asserts that Nigeria presents a paradox. The country is rich but the people are poor. Given this condition, Nigeria should rank among the richest countries that should not suffer poverty entrapment. However, the monumental increase in the level of poverty has made the socio-economic landscape frail and fragile. Today, Nigeria is ranked among the poorest countries in the world.

The fight against poverty has been a central plank of development planning since independence in 1960 and about fifteen ministries, fourteen specialized agencies, and nineteen donor agencies and non-governmental organizations have been involved in the decades of this crusade but about 70 percent of Nigerians still live in poverty (Soludo, 2003: 27). Observers have unanimously agreed that successive government’s interventions have failed to achieve the objectives for which they were established (Ovwasa, 2000:73; Adesopo, 2008; 219-222; Omotola, 2008:505-512). The failure to effectively combat the problem has largely been blamed on infrastructural decay, endemic corruption, and poor governance and accountability (see Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo and Muhtar, 2003:1).

It is pertinent to note that previous governments in Nigeria have established different policy programmes that are meant to reduce poverty and the suffering of the toiling masses in the country. Despite the heavy investment made by these governments the extent and level of poverty in the country is enormous. Indeed, one of the contributing factors that exacerbate poverty in Africa as in Nigeria is leadership and rapacious greed of the ruling elite.

In 2001 the Obasanjo government has adopted the international goal of reducing poverty by half the proportion of the population by the year 2015, in line with the global goals set by the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. While it is estimated that growth would have to average 7-8 percent per annum to achieve that goal (assuming no change in income inequality) the government recognizes that growth must be accompanied by policies that improve opportunities for employment, income generation and access to resource among the poorest groups in society. Such policies need to be accompanied by investment in human capital to produce a healthier and better educated population, and well-targeted “safety net” measures that can assist households unable to meet their basic needs.

Following a review of government agencies involved in poverty alleviation efforts by the Ahmad Joda led panel, the Federal Government launched a National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in January 2001. This set the goal of eradicating absolute poverty over a ten-year period. NAPEP is a coordinating body liaising among 14 ministries and nine agencies with core poverty alleviation functions and is responsible to the National Poverty Eradication Council (NPEC), chaired by the president. It developed four specific schemes focusing on youth empowerment, development of rural infrastructure, social welfare services and natural resource development and conservation (Obadan, 2002). Therefore, this study is to investigates politics of poverty alleviation programme in Nigeria focusing in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.