Politicization of Employment and Service Delivery in Obingwa and Ohafia Local Governments in Abia State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Foundational principles of public Service laid down by scholars such as Woodrow Wilson and Max Weber, emphasized merit-based recruitment and political neutrality. Recent studies on public sector employment in Nigeria have primarily focused on federal and state levels, often overlooking the dynamics at the local government level. Specifically, there is limited empirical research on how politicization of employment affects service delivery and staff welfare in rural local government areas such as Obingwa and Ohafia in Abia State. However, in Obingwa and Ohafia Local Governments, the politicization of employment practices, including the filling of positions with ghost workers, has significantly affected the efficiency and welfare of the Local Government employees. This study therefore investigated the politicization of employment and service delivery in Obingwa and Ohafia Local Government Areas of Abia State. The study employed survey research design, with the population of 2,291. Three hundred and twenty-six (326) employees were randomly sampled in Ohafia and Obingwa Local Government Areas of Abia State, using Taro Yamane’s formula. Structured questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection and was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). Hypotheses were tested using chi-square at 5% significant level. The study found that recruitment policy has positively influenced service delivery (Chi Square = 81.76, p-value < 0.05), while political interference in recruitment process has significantly reduced employees’ efficiency and, consequently, service delivery (Chi Square = 81.37, p-value < 0.05). Furthermore, a major contending pressure identified was the prevalence of ghost workers who, despite not contributing to the workload, yet continue to draw salaries, leaving the real workers overburden (Chi Square = 43.67, p-value < 0.05). Finally, it was found that there is significant workable solution that can lead to merit-based employment to curb such politicized practices (Chi Square = 94.00, p-value < 0.05). The study therefore concluded that the politicization of employment compounded by issues like delayed salaries and ghost workers phenomenon which have directly affected their efficiency and the quality of services provided to the community. The study recommended that Local Governments should adopt merit-based recruitment process, including the use of external assessment panels, personnel database, biometric machines and feedback mechanism. Keyword: Politicization, Employment, Public service, Service delivery, Local Government. Word Count: 297