“Crisis of Local Government Autonomy and Grassroot Development in Oyigbo Local Government Area”.

This study was focused on the crisis of local government autonomy and grassroot development in Oyigbo local government area; of Rivers State between 1999-2023. While the specific objectives are to; investigate the relationship between financial constraints and grassroots development in Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State during 1999-2023, ascertain the relationship between lack of political (fiscal) autonomy and grassroots development in Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State during 1999-2023, and determine the relationship between lack of qualified personnel staff and grassroots development in Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State during 1999-2023. The methodology adopted were both primary and secondary methods of data sourcing. Whereas the theoretical framework was the general systems theory propounded by Easton (1965). Findings showed that local government autonomy as contained in the constitution cannot guarantee true autonomy of the local government as a tier; Over bearing power of state government over the L.G have had a significant effect on the performance of L.G. in terms of meaningful and enduring development at the grassroots, among others. Therefore, the study recommend that local government financial independence will go a long way in bringing development to the grassroots, L.G. must be strengthened and made to be accountable to the rural people, rather than the stifling control which the states have on them, and lack of dependable revenue base should be reduced, and as a critical factor in the erosion of L.G. autonomy, dependable revenue base should be increased, etc.