The Implications of Political Tenure Instability of Elected Local Government Officials on Grassroots Development of Southeastern Nigeria

Political tenure instability in the Local Government Areas of the elected chairmen and counsellors have been a common phenomenon in Nigeria. This general phenomenon has its beginning from the military era (1966–1998) and has not changed much even with the return of the country to democratic governance in 1999. Nigeria has 36 states and 774 local government areas. Nearly 90% of these local government areas are without chairmen and counsellors. In their place, state governors set up caretaker committees that are now saddled with local governance. This paper provided insights on the causes and effects of this trend on the local government system in particular and grassroots development in general with special reference to the southeastern region of Nigeria. It was concluded that if this practice is not stemmed, particularly as the country’s democracy flourishes, sustainable development goals at the local levels will not be achieved. The paper recommended measures that could be used to put a permanent end to this political quagmire.