Political Reform and Public Disorder in Nigeria: Policy Implications and Suggestions

This is an exploratory study of political reform and public disorder between Iju and itagbolu communities of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. It examines the effects and implications of the 1996 local government creation exercise on the two communities in the Local Government Area. Since the creation of the Local Government, various incidences of public disorder have ensued, particularly over the siting of the council's headquarters and whenever governmental socio- political and economic benefits are to be distributed between these communities. Despite various efforts at resolving these conflicts, they still persist due to some important values, however neglected by the government, which these communities believe are distinctively unique to them. The overriding aim of this study is to find out the effect(s) or influence of local government reform (that is, its creation) on the existing relationship between these historically competitive communities as administrative unit of the state.