THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNCTIONS, ROLES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN DEMOCRATIC NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper seeks to discuss the legislature as an arm of government, pertaining to its functions, roles and effectiveness in democratic Nigeria. It presents background information on legislation, democracy, the three arms of government and the principle of checks and balances. Central to this paper is the role and functions of the legislature in nation building. It discusses the constraints and success possibilities of the legislature in a developing country like Nigeria. The paper reveals that Nigeria has set high growth and development targets for itself, apart from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) within which the country is committed to eradicate HIV/AIDS, reduce poverty, illiteracy and maternal mortality, Nigeria has set the target to be among the first 20 largest economies of the world. To demonstrate further commitments to this growth target, Nigeria’s government has drawn up a development agenda among others, to tackle poverty, combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, address the country’s acute energy crisis and the Niger Delta. The point is that achieving the key targets of Vision 20/2020 and this development Agenda depends a lot on the relationships that exist among the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary and the extent to which these key institutions are able to build synergy and collaborate as partners in driving the process of national development and progress. All these may not be realised unless the Legislature plays its role in making people- oriented policies, undertake executive oversight and pressure the Executive to be more transparent and accountable.