Legislative Oversight in Nigeria’s Democracy: Roles, Challenges and Way Forward

Legislative oversight is a robust mechanism institutionalized to check the excesses of the executive arm of government and government agencies, for accountability, to minimise waste in governance, corruption and absolutism in the exercise of political power. This institution has, however, come under serious criticism mainly to perceived misuse of their constitutional powers. This study examines legislative oversight in Nigeria’s democracy based on it roles, challenges and way forwards. The study is underpinned under structural functionalism theory. Data for the study were generated from documentary materials and analysed through descriptive content analysis. The article argues that the legislature in the Fourth Republic has increasingly used its oversight function not only in controlling the executive but it has contributed in the stabilization of politics, reduction of corruption and increasing the quality of democracy. However, the study reveals that oversight functions critical aspect of the legislature have severely been compromised and wit challenges. The study established that the legislative organ is incapacitated from carrying out effective oversight for good governance because of inadequate autonomy, the executive usurpation of legislative powers by involving in oversight function, the problem of god-fatherism and corrupt tendencies of most members of the legislative houses. It then suggest way forward as legislative oversight can become more effective once again if greater value is given to citizenship through a reformed electoral process which gives more power to the vote and, ultimately, enhance the capacity of voters to control public officers through the possibility of rejection at the polls. The legislature should be checkmated to reduce misconduct in some of their activities. To ensure effective legislation that will bring about good governance in the polity, there should be independent choice of candidates, free and fair election, financial autonomy of the legislature and regular oversight function, devoid of financial and material benefits or inducement by members of the legislative arm.