LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PLATEAU STATE
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LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PLATEAU STATE
CHAPITRE ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of The Study
The legislature is an essential part of any democratic government and a vital factor in its survival; it predates the birth of contemporary democracy. According to Loewenberg (2015), the emergence of the legislature dates back to the twelve century and is a product of mediaeval European civilization changed in the age of democracy to meet the needs of contemporary political systems.
According to Boynton (2001), before and after World War II, after colonialism failed, nations grew in number, constitutions incorporate national legislature to replace existing governing institutions around the world, and the influence of legislature continues to grow in 21st century approaches.
The legislature’s popularity cannot be separated from the continent-wide trend of democratic growth. Indeed, if democracy is a system based on informed and active citizen involvement,
the legislature serves as a vehicle for equitable and wider representation (Yaqub 2004). The presence of a legislative institution composed of people’s representatives distinguishes democratic governments from non-democratic ones.
The legislature differs in composition and form of representation from one system of government to the next. Members of the legislature are fused with members of the executive under a parliamentary system, however in a presidential system, the legislature and executive are separated from other arms of government by different individuals to encourage effective administration.
Legislators are elected in certain countries, such as Nigeria, while they are appointed in others. Despite differences in legislative structures around the world, they have a structural element that separates them from other branches of government in a democracy.
The common aspect of legislators is that their relationship between members is one of equality rather than authority and subordination, as they draw their authority from being representatives of the people (Saliu 2004).
Depending on the political system, the legislature may perform different duties at different times; the two fundamental principles of legislatures in democratic settings are legislation making and functioning as a watchdog on behalf of the people, without which democracy becomes messed up. Odinga (1994) observed:
If the constitution is the embodiment of the people’s aspirations, ideals, and collective will, the parliament is the collective defender and watchdog of the people’s aspirations, ideals, and collective will.
If the constitution is the social contract between the people and the government, then the parliament is the people’s advocate and arbiter of national interest.
Indeed, if the constitution is the covenant between the people and their leaders, as the Bible, Quran, and other religious treatises are, the parliament is the repository and custodian of the oracles of the political covenant and social contract between the people and government.
As a result, for any democracy to thrive, the legislature must not only enact rules for the good order of society (including appropriation laws), but also ensure that such laws and others are not broken by other arms of government such as the executive (Poteet, 2010). This is accomplished through its supervision function, which serves as a watchdog over their policies.
Most constitutions document these two fundamental legislative tasks (Taiwo & Fajingbesi, 2004). In other words, legislators carry out their responsibilities through men and women of demonstrated
integrity and good character who resist the urge to become involved in situations that have been legislated against. The legislature can be thought of as a sub-unit of good administration and democratic sustainability because of this action.
Sections 4, (1), (2), (6), and (7) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution vest legislative functions in the National Assembly as well as its sub-national bodies, the state Houses of Assembly.
Section 4 (2) expressly enables the National Assembly to enact laws for the country’s peace, order, and good administration. According to Section 4 (1) Part II of the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution:
…the federal republic of Nigeria’s legislative powers shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
As a result, the legislature’s oversight power is to hold all governmental institutions accountable. According to Bello-Imam (2004), the legislative oversight function is critical in making and reviewing the activities of the executive branch of government.
The purpose of oversight in most democracies, particularly in Nigeria, is to ensure that public policy serves the public interest (Obiyan, 2011). Essentially, the legislative oversight powers keep the executive in check and provide a balancing impact for healthy government. Fiscal policy is a key area of monitoring, as indicated by Obadan (2003), Ndoma-Egba (2012), and Adeola (2017).
Parliament is responsible for implementing public policy in a way that promotes good governance. To that end, the legislative process scrutinises government finances.
Given its importance to the goal of good governance for the Nigerian state, the performance of the National Assembly in its oversight job has elicited differing opinions.
As a result, this study evaluates the legislature’s role in its oversight duty, concentrating on the extent to which the institution has been transparent, responsible, and credible in its operations since June 3, 1999, when Nigeria’s Fourth Republic was inaugurated.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Aside from formulating and amending laws, one of the primary functions of the Nigerian National Assembly is supervision. Legislative Oversight is a key duty of the National Assembly in governance and public office administration.
The legislature’s oversight responsibility is to hold all state institutions accountable in order to promote accountability and transparency. In its utilisation of oversight powers, Nigeria’s National Assembly has fallen short of public expectations (Abiola, 2012; Nwagwu, 2014; Oye, 2018).
Furthermore, there have been charges of corrupt practises against several Assembly members, making the case appear as if “the probers have become the ones being probed” (Obasanjo, 2012:24).
However, with allegations of corruption levelled against national parliamentarians, openness and accountability, two key measures of good government, are undermining.
Despite the fact that the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) established over 80 Oversights/Probe Panels to investigate various instances of alleged corruption, consuming millions of Naira in the process (oversights), corruption and corrupt practises persisted in the Federal Public Service (Nairaland, 2012).
It appears critical to comprehend and realise why corruption appears to be systemically institutionalised in the Federal Public Service, and the Legislative Power is rendered ineffective in combating corruption. As a result of this study, the researcher thought it was vital to look into legislative supervision and good governance in plateau state.
1.3 Objectives of The Study
The primary goal of this research is to look into legislative supervision and good governance in plateau state.
The exact goals of this research are as follows:
Examine the National Assembly’s constitutional provisions for using the oversight function in Nigeria.
Discuss instances of ineffective legislative supervision in Plateau state that lack openness, accountability, and efficacy.
Identify the difficulties that the National Assembly faces in carrying out its oversight responsibility in Plateau state.
1.4 Research Questions
What are the National Assembly’s constitutional provisions for exercising its oversight responsibility in Nigeria?
What are some examples of ineffective legislative supervision in Plateau state?
Identify the National Assembly’s obstacles in carrying out its oversight responsibility in Plateau state.
1.5 The study hypothesis
In Nigeria, there are no constitutional provisions for the National Assembly to exercise its oversight responsibility.
HO2: The National Assembly faces no difficulties in carrying out its oversight responsibilities in Plateau state.
1.6 Significance of the research
Until recently, National Assembly Oversight was a vital area of governance and public administration in Nigeria that received little scholarly attention. As a result, the literature on Oversight is limited,
and the few that we evaluated focused on the broad responsibilities, roles, and relationship of the Legislative Arm of Government with the Executive Arm.
In essence, this study focuses on the function of Legislative Probes and General Oversight Functions of the Legislative Arm in combating corruption in Nigeria’s Federal Public Service.
Thus, an assessment of the National Assembly in this regard is meant to demonstrate the ostensible Legislative Oversight/Probes as a very major business in combating corruption.
As a result, the overarching relevance of this study is to contribute to the expanding body of knowledge on legislative oversight and corruption in the Nigerian Federal Public Service.
1.7 scope and limitations of The study
This research is being conducted in Plateau state on legislative oversight and good governance. The study’s general focus is on the National Assembly’s Oversight Functions in relation to corruption in the Nigerian Federal Public Service.
The researcher comes upon a constraint that limits the scope of the investigation;
a) Research material availability: The researcher’s research material is insufficient, restricting the investigation.
b) Time: The study’s time frame does not allow for broader coverage because the researcher must balance other academic activities and examinations with the study.
b) Financial constraint: A lack of funds tends to restrict the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection procedure (internet, questionnaire, and interview).
1.8 operational definition of Terms
Good governance: In international development, good governance is a method of assessing how well public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources. Governance is defined as “the process of making decisions and putting those decisions into action.”
Governance: Governance encompasses all processes of governing over a social system, whether conducted by the government of a state, a market, or a network, and whether through the rules, conventions, power, or language of an organised society.
A government is the system or collection of individuals in charge of an organised community, most typically a state. In the broadest sense, government is made up of the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary.
Legislative Oversight: The process by which legislative bodies actively participate in studying and monitoring the functioning of the executive branch of government and apply such knowledge to its major tasks of: creating laws and public policy;
setting budgets; and generating income. A legislature must be familiar with and comprehend government processes in order to make educated decisions about which legislation to approve and which budgetary decisions to make.
A legislature is a deliberative body with the power to enact laws for a political entity such as a country or city. Legislators are significant aspects of most governments, and they are frequently contrasted with the executive and judicial branches of government in the separation of powers concept.
Sanctions: The National Assembly’s capacity to sanction actions/inactions and decisions of the Federal Public Service that are contrary to the mandate.
Transparency: Enough information is available for other agencies and the general public to determine if appropriate procedures are followed in accordance with the stated mission.
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