Political economy of town unions and rural development: A study of south east geo-political zone, Nigeria

Abstract

This study interrogated the political economy of town unionism in rural community development in south east Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive research design was employed, involving the use of questionnaire for data collection. The sample size of 500 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data analysis was by mean ratings, and standard deviation. The result showed that town unions contributed politically to the community development by providing effective community governance, security, participatory decision making process and community mobilization efforts. On the socio-economic sphere, town unions were found to have played major roles in local infrastructural development such as erection of market stalls, clinics, classroom blocks and local road maintenance. The study identified challenges to town unions to include lack of legal integration, politicization of town unions, poor funding of projects and activities. Notwithstanding these enormous challenges, town unions have made meaningful impact in the political and socio-economic life of the communities in south east Nigeria. It is therefore necessary to work on the recommendations proffered by this study to further strengthen and transform town unions as major force in rural community development.