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https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ Theses Digitisation: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/research/enlighten/theses/digitisation/ This is a digitised version of the original print thesis. Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] THE POLITICS AMO ADMINISTRATION OF COhTUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE RIVERS STATE OF NIGERIA BY LAURENCE A.8. lYAGOA Submitbed for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Glasgow Duly 1976 ProQuest Number: 10647271 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uesL ProQuest 10647271 Published by ProQuest LLO (2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLO. ProQuest LLO. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.Q. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 4 8 1 0 6 - 1346 '/f-t'lSIS, Dedicated to BOMA and OJUAPU Qf/J ABSTRACT This thesis is about the politics and administration of community development in the Rivers State of Nigeria. Prior.to the creation of the Rivers State in 19*5?» efforts had been made by the people to improve their lo^al communities; and the people's attainment of political autonomy presented enormous challenge in the task of local development. Today, both at the local and state government levels, resources are mobilised so as to improve living conditions in the state. There are new expectations in a new state. At the local level, there are different participants in community development, namely, planning committees, chiefs, elders, youths and communal patrons. However, neither are all participants in community development united, nor is there a widespread consensus about political interests and values among the people. In some communities, there are political disputes and power struggles among the different participants, thus affecting the pace of local development. Nevertheless, all the participants appreciate the need for development. At the official level, there are planning bodies. Rural Development Officers, Sole Authorities, Permanent Secretaries and Commissioners who make or influence decisions in respect of community development. Of the different participants in community development, this work shows that those of the patron class are the most eminent, not only in the locality but also in the public service. Hence the patron is in a position to play a 'linkage role* between the locality and Port Harcourt, the seat of administration. The linkage role of the patron largely explains the fact that rural polyethnic politics is projected into Port Harcourt. Hence this thesis casts light on: the politics of communalisra, the activities of the. different participants in community development and the emergence of community influentials. One of the main themes of the thesis is that, given the general pattern of expectations in a new state, even as an administrator, the community influential (the patron) will always protect the interestswhether they be real or imagined^ of his people. In short, the main argument is that administration has no purpose other than to serve the political goals of the different communities in the State. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS : I wish to thanic all those who have helped me to obtain information for this work. In the local areas, many chiefs, elders, development . committee officials, and other dignitaries generously gave their time to inform me-about their functions and activities in the task of community development. In addition, while in the Rivers State on field work, most of the people were very hospitable and kind to me. In Port Harcourt, many public servants (particularly, Chief Biriye, Dr. Akobo, Messrs, Tsaro V/iv/a, Kobani, Ateli and Wokocha) granted me several interviews. Besides, I had access to official papers relating to my field of study, I would like to record ray indebtedness to all these officials. I am most grateful to my superMr. Martin Staniland, for his unfailing support and guidance. His comments and criticisms have been very helpful. Professor G. Parry also went through this work, especially in the final writing stages; in fact he was involved in a quasi-supervisory capacity. Both Messrs. Christopher Hood and Colins Baker made very helpful comments on certain parts of this work. I am greatly indebted to all of them. Finally, whilst engaged upon this thesis, I have been financed by the Rivers State Government; my thanks are to them for the grant. (U) POSTSCRIPT On 29th July 1975» the government of General Gowon was overthrown in k military coup. Nigeria's new leader, Brigadier M® Mohammed, has appointed twelve new Governors for the States. The newly appointed Governor for the Rivers State, Lt. Colonel Z, Lekwuot, has formed his own cabinet. However, this work does not cover the events in the Rivers State since the coup. (â/i) . INFORMATION FOR THIS STUDY Information for this work has been collected from a number of sources. The bulk of the material was collected from a number of primary sources: interviews, private papers, official documents, minutes of local development committee meetings, and general reference works. Secondary sources were also used, especially for Chapter 2. Of the primary sources, interviews were the most challenging and interesting. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who have been actively involved in the activities covered by this study. As far as possible, attempts were made to see most of these local dignitaries .and Port Harcourt officials whose roles in community development are of primary importance. However, because of certain factors - the poor communication network in the state,- my limited time and financial resources - it was not possible to meet all those who are connected with the events which I have recorded. Besides, some were unwilling to talk about their activities; others warned me not to ask too many questions. Naturally, the availability of the materials has influenced the shape and nature of this work. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION ... ... 13. Background Thame Concepts Communaliam Problems and Implications 2. THE RIVERS STATE AND ITS PEOPLE ... ...... 43. Geographical Economic Cultural and Linguistic Political and Administrative 3. LOCAL PARTICIPANTS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ........ 72. Recent Changes on Status and Role of Chiefs The Communal Patrons Patron - Client Relationships Reciprocities in Clientelism 4. OFFICIAL PARTICIPANTS AND POLICY MAKERS ... 125. Local Administration Sole Authorities as Assets. For whom? Lines of Command and Expectations Take-over of County Council Roads (vnii TABLE OF CONTENTS, CHAPTER PAGE 5. CHIEFTAINCY DISPUTES AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ........ 166. Recent Amanyanabo Disputes The Present Nature and Dimensions of the Conflicts The Elite and Patrons Recent Political Influence/impact on Local Development Efforts 6. STATISfil, EMINENCE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT...... 211. The Rivers State Movement Biriye and Statism Internal State Politics and the Distribution of Resources The Future 7. THE CABINET AND PROJECT GRANTS TO COMMUNITIES ... ... 265. Military Government and its Beliefs The Cabinet Approval of Grants to Communities Concepts of Good Government The Public Service Image 8. CONCLUSION ... 305. The Intermediaries The Politics of Communalism Prognosis APPENDICES ... ... ... ... 314. BIBLIOGRAPHY ... ... ... ... 339. l/X) LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Ag Acting AG Action Group ARDO Assistant Rural Development Officer Asst Assistant CC County Council CPP Convention Peoples Party CRDO Chief Rural Development Officer Dev Development l/C In Charge MP Member of Parliament NCNC National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (later known as National Council of Nigerian citizens) NDC Niger Delta Congress NPC Northern People's Congress P.M. Port Harcourt PROD Principal Rural Development Officer RDO Rural Development Officer R.D. Org 1 F,.:r Rural Development O^^ssfnts&r SRDO Senior Rural Development Officer Suptd . Superintendent (X) LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1. Particulars of Council Maintained Roads. 2. Koniju and Tuboniju Patrons and Elite. 5 . Capital Expenditure on State Road Programme, 1970-1974* 4. Areas (Hinterland and Riverine) in which Roads are located, 5 . Expenditure on Inland Water Transport, 6, Approved Grants for Self-Help projects in the 1972/73 and 1973/74 Financial Years. 7, State Revenue. m APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 , Number of Schools and Enrolment. 2. Scholarship Awards in the Rivers State. 3* High Level Manpower Situation in the Rivers State Government, 4. State Government Subsidies and Grants to Local Councils. 5* Composition of the Rivers State Rural Development Conference. 6, Local Councils Revenue. 7« The Pattern and Rules of Succession