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Proliferation of autonomous communities in southeastern Nigeria between 2000 and 2015: a bane to sustainable development in Imo State, Nigeria

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • 2Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • 3Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 7, Issue (1), Pages 7-15, January,14 (2018)

Abstract

The study is necessitated by the recent explosion in the number of autonomous communities in Imo state of the southeast Nigeria, between 2000 and 2015. Nine autonomous communities spread across the three geographical zones were covered. Literature was reviewed to ascertain the extent of fragmentation that is dangerously starring on the autonomous communities in Imo state. The survey research method was adopted. Primary data was gathered using the interview technique, informal discussions, focus group discussion (fgd), expert opinion, and town hall meetings to correlate the data, while library research constituted the secondary data. Findings revealed that the economic and political factors played major roles in the acquisition of autonomous communities as any person who can purchase the autonomous community with money stood the chance of being installed traditional ruler of such autonomous community. Therefore, there is a positive relationship between quest for traditional rulership stool and proliferation of autonomous communities. The work disagreed that the proliferation through splitting of autonomous communities may lead to grass root development. Rather work concludes that the proliferation generates conflict, disharmony and tussle for the revered traditional stool. It also looked at the zeal with which the entire southeastern communities clamour and fight for the creation of autonomous communities and views it as the outcome of the bastardisation of traditional institutions in the southeast of Nigeria. This study therefore, recommends that the creation of Autonomous communities by government to satisfy the present needs, should as well not compromise the needs of the future generations.

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