- Background to the Study
The legislature is an important component of democratic governance. Indeed, the need for the legislature is reflected in the very meaning of democracy- rule of the people. In fact, the legislature is a necessary ingredient for governance in both traditional and modern democracies. In order for the people to rule, they require a mechanism to represent their wishes and the legislature serves this critical function. In fact, Mills (1999) remarked that the legislature acts as the eyes, ears and voices of the people. It represents a permanent and independent link between the people and government.
Although the legislature is known as a law-making body, it is important to note that it performs the oversight function on the executives and other branches of government in the state. Through elections, lobbying and petitions, citizens and groups express their will and affect the outcomes of the legislative process. Some of the traits of a well developed legislature like the American Congress are division of labour, a leadership structure, a seniority system and a committee system (Ornstein, 2008). These traits equip the legislature to properly oversee the executive activities, influence policies and immunize them against executive dominance.
In recognition of the centrality of the legislature to democratic governance, the Chapter 5, Part 1 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria provided for the legislature. Specifically, section 47 of the same constitution provided that: there shall be a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representative. Similarly, section 90 of the same constitution provided that: there shall be a House of Assembly for each of the States of the Federation. The Constitution empowers the legislators both at the federal and state levels to perform oversight functions over government agencies. As Nigerians seek an end to the scourge of corruption in public sector, the expectations are that the legislators would be more proactive, rather than reactionary in the discharge of their oversight functions. They are expected to do this by detecting and preventing waste, inefficiency and corruption before they happen. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. Since the emergence of the current democratic dispensation, series of public hearings and probes of agencies have been conducted without official reports on some of these investigations at both federal and state levels.
Yet, the assumption holds that the legislature in a democratic state is a principal arm of government through which governments are held accountable. It is usually assigned the oversight function of bureaucracy. Schlesinger and Burbs (1975:10) corroborated the above view thus:
The principle behind legislative oversight of the executive activity is to ensure that public policy is administered in accordance with the legislative intent….the legislative function does not cease with the passage of the bill. It is therefore, only by monitoring the implementation process that members of the legislature uncover any defects and act to correct misappropriation and maladministration. In this sense the concept of oversight exists as an essential corollary to the law making process.
Hence, corruption has long been institutionalized as the foundation of governance, at all levels of government in Nigeria. Institutions decayed to an unprecedented extent, as available resources and opportunities were filtered away by the powerful. As would be expected, this process was followed by the subversion of due process and manipulation of existing laws and regulations in all the tiers of governments, and these greatly undermined accountability and performance in governments, especially at the state level. Olu (2002), notes that the legitimacy and stability of the country became compromised as citizens began to devise extra legal and. informal ways to survive. The corruption quagmire in Nigeria was rooted in the failure and virtual collapse of governance, disregard for procedures for ensuring accountability, and the presence of bad leadership (Obasanjo, 2003).
Against the backdrop, this study shall examine the legislative institutions ,oversight functions and good governance in the Plateau state House of
1.2 Statement of Problem
The long reign of the military government in Nigeria and its subsequent intervention in the political affairs of the nation has rubbed off on the political class and the development of democratic institutions. The performance and appropriate responsibility of the elected leaders as enshrined in the constitution has always been hampered by lack of experience and greed on the part of the political actors.
The performance of oversight functions by the legislative arm of government in Nigeria has over the years fallen below expectation. This is as a result of poor commitment on the part of the leadership of this nation to the provisions of the nation’s constitution. Corruption, greed and the deteriorating infrastructural facilities have hampered the performance of government business.
Rather than provide qualitative service for the people, the elected representatives had always contrived the democratic space, muzzled opposition, overturn electoral choices and in the end engendered the rule of law and order within the democratic space.
The executive on its part has always cash on the corruption tendencies on the part of the legislative arm by attempting to bribe them anytime a crisis occurs or a discovery is made in the execution of programmes that negates constitutional provisions.
1.3 Research Questions
The study has the following research questions:.
1.3.1 What are the areas of oversight function embark upon by the plateau house of assembly?
1.3.2 What factors accounted for the pattern of relationship between the legislatives and executives in plateau state?
1.3.3 Have the oversight functions unravel the area of poor governance in the state?
1.3.4 To what extend have oversight activities translated to good governance in Plateau state?
1.3.5 What challenges affect effective oversight performance in the Plateau state house of assembly?
1.4 Significance of the Study
The belief by the people in a democratic system of government gave rise to the uproar that ensures the emergence of the forth republic after many years of military rule. One of the institutions that guarantees adequate participation of the people in a democratic government is the legislative arm, charged with the responsibility of making appropriate legislation for the nation and also acting as a watchdog on the executive. Hence the legislative arm plays a pivotal role in any democratic dispensation.
This study is significant in the sense that the performance of legislative oversight functions of the legislative institutions is paramount and cannot be over emphasized. The strengthening of the laws and legislations are very significant part of the administration of democratic government, which must not be neglected.
The study is also said to be significant in the sense that it will serve as a useful avenue for evaluating the legislature; their impacts, challenges and prospects. It will also be useful in promoting greater understanding of the importance of intergovernmental relations and interactions in Nigeria.
The study is also important in the sense that it will serve as a contribution to knowledge as well as a reference point for future research endeavor with similar disposition.
- Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus extensively on legislative oversight and good governance. The study will cover the period of 1999-2019.Some of the constraints that militate against this study include the following:
- The period under review, witnessed several Investigative Oversights, which the study could not cover in totality. Therefore the study limited itself to selected cases, as not all Investigative Oversights by the State House of Assembly is covered;
- The Plateau State Assembly as an institution has been one of the most unsteady institutions of government in Nigeria. As a result, there is paucity of data and/or information and Literature on the workings of the state Assembly which indeed has not had the opportunity for growth and research. However, the Researcher through an insider was able to acquire the available data.
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- Historia ya utafiti Bunge ni sehemu muhimu ya utawala wa kidemokrasia. Kwa kweli, uhitaji wa bunge unaonyeshwa katika maana yenyewe ya demokrasia - utawala wa watu. Kwa kweli, bunge ni kiungo muhimu kwa utawala katika demokrasia za jadi na za kisasa. Ili watu watawale, wanahitaji utaratibu wa kuwakilisha matakwa yao na bunge linatumikia kazi hii muhimu. "Mills (1999) anasema, ""Bunge linafanya kazi kama macho, masikio na sauti ya watu.""" Inawakilisha kiungo cha kudumu na huru kati ya watu na serikali. Ingawa bunge linajulikana kama chombo cha kutunga sheria, ni muhimu kutambua kwamba linafanya kazi ya usimamizi juu ya watendaji na matawi mengine ya serikali katika jimbo. Kupitia uchaguzi, lobbying na maombi, wananchi na makundi kueleza mapenzi yao na kuathiri matokeo ya mchakato wa kisheria. "Miongoni mwa mambo ya kuvutia zaidi katika mfumo wa bunge la Marekani ni ""division of labour,"" ""seniority system,"" na ""committee system.""" Sifa hizi kuandaa bunge kwa usimamizi sahihi shughuli za mtendaji, ushawishi sera na kuwalinda dhidi ya utawala mtendaji. Kwa kutambua umuhimu wa bunge katika utawala wa kidemokrasia, Sura ya 5, Sehemu ya 1 ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Shirikisho la Nigeria ya 1999 ilitoa sheria kwa bunge. "Katika kifungu cha 47 cha katiba hiyo, ilisema: ""Kutakuwa na Bunge la Taifa la Shirikisho, ambalo litakuwa na Baraza la Seneti na Baraza la Wawakilishi.""" "Kifungu cha 90 cha katiba hiyo kilisema: ""Kutakuwa na Baraza la Bunge kwa kila jimbo la Shirikisho.""" Katiba inawapa wabunge katika ngazi ya shirikisho na ya jimbo uwezo wa kufanya kazi za usimamizi juu ya mashirika ya serikali. "Wanigeria wanatafuta kukomesha tauni ya ufisadi katika sekta ya umma, matarajio ni kwamba wabunge watakuwa na mwelekeo zaidi, badala ya kukabiliana na kazi zao za usimamizi. """ Wanatarajiwa kufanya hivyo kwa kugundua na kuzuia taka, kutokuwa na ufanisi na ufisadi kabla ya kutokea. Kwa kusikitisha, hilo halijawa kweli. Tangu kuibuka kwa mfumo wa kidemokrasia wa sasa, mfululizo wa mikutano ya umma na uchunguzi wa mashirika umefanywa bila ripoti rasmi juu ya baadhi ya uchunguzi huu katika ngazi za shirikisho na serikali. Hata hivyo, dhana hiyo inadai kwamba bunge katika serikali ya kidemokrasia ni mkono mkuu wa serikali ambayo kupitia hiyo serikali zinawajibika. Kwa kawaida inapewa kazi ya usimamizi wa utawala wa serikali. Schlesinger na Burbs (1975: 10) walithibitisha maoni ya juu hivi: Kanuni nyuma ya usimamizi wa kisheria wa shughuli ya mtendaji ni kuhakikisha kwamba sera ya umma inasimamiwa kulingana na nia ya kisheria. Kwa hivyo, ni kwa kufuatilia mchakato wa utekelezaji tu kwamba wanachama wa bunge kugundua kasoro yoyote na kuchukua hatua kurekebisha udanganyifu na udhibiti mbaya. Katika maana hii dhana ya usimamizi ipo kama corollary muhimu kwa mchakato wa kutengeneza sheria. Kwa hivyo, ufisadi umekuwa kwa muda mrefu umewekwa rasmi kama msingi wa utawala, katika ngazi zote za serikali nchini Nigeria. Taasisi ziliharibika kwa kiwango kisichokumbukwa, kwa kuwa rasilimali na fursa zilizopo zilitumiwa na wenye nguvu. Kama ilivyotarajiwa, mchakato huu ulifuatwa na uharibifu wa utaratibu sahihi na udanganyifu wa sheria na kanuni zilizopo katika ngazi zote za serikali, na hizi zilidhoofisha sana uwajibikaji na utendaji katika serikali, haswa katika ngazi ya serikali. "Olu (2002), anasema kuwa ""halali na utulivu wa nchi ulidhoofika wakati wananchi walipoanza kubuni sheria za ziada na sheria za kisheria.""" Njia zisizo rasmi za kuishi Ufisadi nchini Nigeria umesababishwa na kushindwa na kuanguka kwa utawala, kutojali taratibu za kuhakikisha uwajibikaji, na uwepo wa uongozi mbaya (Obasanjo, 2003). Katika utafiti huu, watafiti watachunguza taasisi za sheria, kazi za usimamizi na utawala mzuri katika jimbo la Plateau, na watachunguza jinsi utawala wa muda mrefu wa serikali ya kijeshi nchini Nigeria na uingiliaji wake katika masuala ya kisiasa ya taifa umevuruga jamii ya kisiasa na maendeleo ya taasisi za kidemokrasia. Utendaji na uwajibikaji wa viongozi waliochaguliwa kama ilivyoandikwa katika katiba daima umezuiwa na ukosefu wa uzoefu na pupa kwa upande wa watendaji wa kisiasa. Utendaji wa kazi za usimamizi na mkono wa kisheria wa serikali nchini Nigeria kwa miaka mingi umeshuka chini ya matarajio. Hii ni kwa sababu ya kujitolea duni kwa upande wa uongozi wa taifa hili kwa masharti ya katiba ya taifa. Ufisadi, pupa na uharibifu wa miundombinu umezidisha utendaji wa biashara ya serikali. Badala ya kutoa huduma bora kwa watu, wawakilishi waliochaguliwa walikuwa wamekuwa wakibuni nafasi ya kidemokrasia, wakimnyamazisha upinzani, wakibadili uchaguzi na mwishowe wakizalisha utawala wa sheria na utaratibu ndani ya nafasi ya kidemokrasia. "Mwanasheria wa serikali, kwa upande wake, daima amekuwa akitumia tabia ya ufisadi ya mamlaka ya sheria kwa kujaribu kuwadanganya wakati wowote mgogoro unapoanza au ugunduzi unaofanywa katika utekelezaji wa mipango ambayo inakataa masharti ya kikatiba.""" Swali la utafiti: Uchunguzi huu una maswali ya utafiti yafuatayo: 1.3.1 Ni maeneo gani ya kazi ya usimamizi kuanza na nyumba ya mkutano wa plateau? 1.3.2 Ni mambo gani yaliyofanya muundo wa uhusiano kati ya bunge na mamlaka ya utekelezaji katika hali ya plateau? 1.3.3 Je, kazi za usimamizi zimefunua eneo la utawala mbaya katika jimbo? 1.Mtazamo wa serikali kuhusu hali ya usalama wa watu katika eneo la Plateau 1.5.3 Ni nini kinachohusika katika kufanikiwa kwa kazi ya usimamizi wa hali ya juu? Imani ya watu katika mfumo wa kidemokrasia wa serikali ilisababisha msukosuko ambao unahakikisha kuibuka kwa jamhuri ya nne baada ya miaka mingi ya utawala wa kijeshi. Moja ya taasisi zinazohakikisha ushiriki wa kutosha wa watu katika serikali ya kidemokrasia ni mkono wa sheria, unawajibika kwa jukumu la kufanya sheria zinazofaa kwa taifa na pia kutenda kama mlinzi wa mtendaji. Kwa hiyo mkono wa kisheria una jukumu muhimu katika utoaji wowote wa kidemokrasia. Utafiti huu ni muhimu kwa maana ya kwamba utendaji wa kazi za usimamizi wa kisheria wa taasisi za kisheria ni muhimu sana na haiwezi kusisitizwa sana. Kuimarisha sheria na sheria ni sehemu muhimu sana ya utawala wa serikali ya kidemokrasia, ambayo haipaswi kupuuzwa. "Tafiti hiyo pia imesema kuwa muhimu kwa maana kwamba itatumika kama njia muhimu ya kutathmini bunge, athari zao, changamoto na matarajio. """ Pia itakuwa na manufaa katika kukuza uelewa mkubwa wa umuhimu wa mahusiano ya kati ya serikali na maingiliano nchini Nigeria. Utafiti huu pia ni muhimu kwa maana kwamba utatumika kama mchango kwa maarifa na pia kama hatua ya kumbukumbu kwa juhudi za utafiti wa baadaye na mwelekeo kama huo. - Scope na Vikwazo vya Utafiti Utafiti huu utazingatia sana usimamizi wa kisheria na utawala mzuri. Utafiti huo utahusisha kipindi cha 1999-2019, na baadhi ya vikwazo vinavyopinga utafiti huu ni pamoja na: Kwa hiyo utafiti huo ulijizuia kwa kesi zilizochaguliwa, kwani sio uchunguzi wote wa Uchunguzi na Baraza la Bunge la Jimbo unafunikwa; - Baraza la Jimbo la Plateau kama taasisi imekuwa moja ya taasisi zisizo na utulivu zaidi za serikali nchini Nigeria. Kwa sababu hiyo, kuna upungufu wa data na habari na fasihi juu ya kazi ya Bunge la Jimbo ambalo kwa kweli halikuwa na fursa ya ukuaji na utafiti. Hata hivyo, Mtafiti kupitia mtu wa ndani aliweza kupata data zilizopo. Download Full Material-N5000