Accountability and Good Governance in Local Government Administration: A Study of Obio/Akpor, Andoni, and Ahoada West in Rivers State, 2014–2024

This study examined the relationship between accountability and good governance in local government administration with particular focus on Obio/Akpor, Andoni, and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State between 2014 and 2024. The study was motivated by persistent governance challenges in Nigeria such as weak institutions, poor service delivery, corruption, and high poverty levels despite abundant natural and human resources. Anchored on Elite Theory, the study argued that governance outcomes are often reflections of elite preferences rather than citizens’ demands, thereby undermining accountability at the grassroots. A descriptive survey design was adopted, drawing a sample of 400 respondents across the study areas using Taro Yamane’s formula and purposive sampling. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaire and interviews, while secondary data were sourced from published works and council documents. Reliability was confirmed through a test–retest method which yielded a Pearson Correlation Coefficient of 0.78. Data analysis employed percentages, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that effective resource allocation, inclusive decision-making, regular public meetings, and improved health services were major indicators of good governance. Results further showed that accountability significantly fosters transparency, prevents corruption, builds public trust, and enhances service delivery in the councils studied. However, poor structures, elite manipulation, and state interference through the State Joint Local Government Account undermined governance outcomes. The study recommends transparent budgeting, strengthened citizen participation, regular public hearings, and institutional collaboration to enhance accountability and inclusiveness at the grassroots level of government