AN EXAMINATION OF THE THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OVERSIGHT POWERS IN NIGERIA
Keywords:
National Assembly, Legislative Oversight, Accountability, Good Governance, Rent-Seeking, Nigeria, Constitutional LawAbstract
The oversight powers of the National Assembly, constitutionally mandated to ensure governmental accountability and protect citizenry, are a cornerstone of Nigeria's democracy. This research examines the theoretical perception of these powers against the backdrop of their practical application. The core problem is the widening gap between the noble theoretical foundations of oversight rooted in doctrines of accountability, transparency, and good governance and its flawed implementation, characterized by politicization, corruption, and institutional weaknesses. Adopting a doctrinal legal research methodology, this study analyzes constitutional provisions, case law, and secondary literature to explore this dichotomy. The findings reveal that while the constitution provides a robust legal framework, the exercise of oversight is often subverted by partisan interests, rent-seeking behaviors, and a lack of political will, as corroborated by recent scholarship. The research concludes by proposing feasible recommendations, including targeted institutional capacity building, enhanced judicial reinforcement of legislative powers, and the strategic depoliticization of the oversight process through civil society collaboration, to realign practice with theory and strengthen Nigeria's democratic governance.
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