Legislative Process and Democratic Principles in Nigeria Politics
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out Nigerian legislature performance its role in the democratic process in the country
- To find out the factors that account for the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian legislature
- To find out the achievement of the Nigerian legislature since the return of democracy in 1999
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Legislature
The legislative arm of government is in charge of law making. The legislature makes the laws, that defines rights and obligations of the people and of various arms of government, and defines rules of conduct of various actions and functions affecting the well being of the collective good of the society. The legislature is an assemblage of the representatives of the people elected under a legal framework to make laws for the good of the society. It is also defined as “the institutional body responsible for making laws for a nation and one through which the collective will of the people or part of it is articulated, expressed and implemented” (Okoosi-Simbine, 2010). Awotokun (1998) states that legislature is an arm of government made up of elected representatives or constituted assembly people whose duty is to make laws, control the activities of the executive and safeguard people’s interest. The legislature controls through legislation all economic, social and political activities of the nation. It also scrutinizes the policies of the Executive and provides the framework for the judiciary to operate (Ihedioha, 2012). The primary function of legislature is law making but in order to ensure good governance, accountability, transparency and efficiency in governance, the legislative arms performs oversight functions. In simple terms, the legislature performs three basic roles namely: lawmaking, representation and oversight. Thus, the legislature make laws for the good governance of the country, carry out representative functions on behalf of the people that elected them and carry out oversight on the executive arm of government which include the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to ensure that government is held accountable to the people from where it derives its sovereignty (Ihedioha, 2012; Dogara, 2016). The legislature is perhaps the most important organ of government in the sense that no society can exist without law. The Legislature’s main function is law-making for the peace, order and 144 good governance of the people. Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (amended) states: The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative list. In Nigeria, the legislature at the centre is called National Assembly, which is made up of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the United States of America, the legislative body (the Senate and the House of Representatives) is called the Congress while in Britain, it is known as Parliament, comprising the House of Lords and House of Commons.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to legislative process and democratic principles in Nigeria politics. Selected member of political parties form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
TEST OF HYPOTHESIS
HO: there are no factors that account for the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian legislature
H1: there are factors that account for the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian legislature
HO: there is no achievement of the Nigerian legislature since the return of democracy in 1999
H2: there is achievement of the Nigerian legislature since the return of democracy in 1999
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain legislative process and democratic principles in Nigeria politics. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of legislative process and democratic principles in Nigeria politics
Summary
This study was on legislative process and democratic principles in Nigeria politics. Three objectives were raised which included; To find out Nigerian legislature performance its role in the democratic process in the country, to find out the factors that account for the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian legislature and to find out the achievement of the Nigerian legislature since the return of democracy in 1999. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected political parties, Delta state Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The legislature occupies a central role in any democratic setting. Of course, a government may exist without the legislature. Nevertheless, without the legislature, democracy is not possible. The existence of a parliament may not be synonymous with democracy, but democracy cannot exist without a parliament. As is evident, legislature is a veritable instrument and institution for national development whose effectiveness is determined by some local variables. With the roles of the legislatures all pointing towards good governance, it is not out of place to say that the legislature is the bulwark of any nation (ECA, 2012; Obasa, 2016). There is no gainsaying the fact that good governance is a pre-requisite for sustainable development. This is why there is a global advocacy for good governance as manifested in transparency, accountability, responsiveness, consensus-building and the rule of law. Achieving good governance requires the existence of a strong, effective and efficient parliament. This is so because parliament plays a crucial role in gauging, collating and presenting the views and needs of the people, articulating their expectations and aspirations in determining the national development agenda (ECA, 2012; Obasa, 2016; Ifiemi, 2016). The legislative arm of government has powers to legislate on a broad spectrum of matters that if effectively carried out will translate into good governance for the benefit of all and sundry (Akomolede and Akomolede, 2012). A vibrant legislature is more or less the propelling factor to engendering democracy and good governance. The commitment and selflessness of law makers is crucial for any government to achieve the desired change. Also, for good governance to happen there must be a strong and reliable legislature, which is independent, objective, enjoys the support of the electorate and above all to foster democracy and good governance.
Recommendation
The legislature should be insulated from the influence of executive (Tom and Attai, 2014:10). This influence, which in most cases are for the selfish interest of the executive and are counter-productive as it is meant to sway the minds of the legislators from the serious business of law-making. The law-makers should be more responsible and responsive to their responsibilities. As a way of checking the truancy of the legislators, salaries and allowances payable to them should vary directly with the number of times they participate in the proceedings on the floor of the house. Membership of the legislature must comprise of individuals with moral and enlightened who possesses of social responsibility, experience in administration of human beings and commitment to public duties.
References
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- Auslan, M.C (2005). Good governance and aid in Africa, Journal of African Law, 40(2), 68
- Awotokun, A. (1998). Legislative, executive and judicial duties in sustaining democracy: A theoretical discourse in Nigeria, Indian Socio-Legal Journal. XXIV (1-2).
- Dogara, Y. (2016). Legislative oversight as a critical component of good governance. Being a convocation lecture delivered at the fourth convocation of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State on April 9, 2016. https://guardian.ng/features/legislative-oversight-as-acritical-component-of-good-governance/
- Economic Commission of Africa (ECA), (2012). The role of parliament in promoting good governance, Governance and Public Administration Division (GPAD): Oxford University Press
