Abstract
This paper takes a departure from the usual environmental or external challenges and hindrances faced by Nigerian legislators and legislative institution. It showcases variables associated with the apolitical and unethical conducts of some of the members of the 8th National Assembly and its accompanying implications on legislative mandate, process and service delivery. Analytically and relying on secondary data, special focus is given to the avoidable intrigues, uninspiring respect for rules, unparliamentary conduct and attitudinal behaviour of the legislators exemplified by unethical utterances and frivolous demands, legislative immaturity, lack of respect for colleagues, political intolerance, democratic brigandage and thuggery, and constant reverence and tribute to ethnic sentiments and values which have been serious impediments on the institution and its operators ability to deliver the expected legislative goods in the change mantra. The paper concludes with recommendations for better legislative process, institution and legislators and what is required to make Legislature and Legislators in Nigeria responsible and responsive to the demands and values of substantive democracy and good governance. This is with a view to rescuing the country’s democracy and its entire political development from being strangulated and pushed into a very narrow precipice.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
ibid.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
In Nigeria, this is a device to ensure that lawmakers have direct involvement in initiating and execution of projects in their various constituencies. Each legislator has direct access to the fund and supervision of the projects. Although this is akin to legislative encroachment into the executive responsibilities, it was a design to mitigate the incessant legislative-executive frictions that have characterized the Nigerian presidential system since May 29, 1999. In practical terms, it is an avenue by which the legislators have direct access to funds outside legislative activities and thereby serve as an avenue for personal enrichment. Indeed, a former president, who was the architect of the design, describe it as corruption (Oparra 2017).
- 8.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, had notified the Court that the decision was out of respect for the rule of law because a similar case was pending before another Court (Tsa and Orji 2016). It was true that there was an amendment to the Senate Standing Orders 2015, in respect of the conditions for the election of Principal officers (Abubakar et al. 2016). The contention was that the amendments did not follow the due process.
- 9.
For the details, see http://www.nassnig.org/nass2/acts.php
References
Abati, R. (2016). The Senate, CCT and the Politics of Saraki’s Trial. The Guardian, April 22. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from https://guardian.ng/opinion/the-senate-cct-and-the-politics-of-sarakis-trial/
Abubakar, A., Mudashir, I & Bamgboye, A. (2016). Untold Story of Senate Rules Forgery Scandal Involving Saraki and Ekweremadu. Sahara Reporters, June 26. Retrieve on March 16, 2018, from, http://saharareporters.com/2016/06/26/untold-story-senate-rules-forgery-scandal-involving-saraki-and-ekweremadu
Adegboyega, T. (2015). Our hallowed chamber. The Nation, June 28. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from, http://thenationonlineng.net/our-hallowed-chamber
Adeniyi, O. (2017). Image perception of the legislature: Causes and Possible Solutions. ThisDay, July 9. Retrieved on March 10, 2018, from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/06/09/image-perception-of-the-legislature-causes-and-possible-solutions/
Adeoye, G. (2016). Eighth Assembly: Many controversies, little impact. The Punch, July 30. Retrieved on March 10, 2018, from, http://punchng.com/eighth-assemblymany-controversies-little-impact/
Aderibigbe, S. (1998). Basic Approach to Government. Lagos: Joja Educational Research and Publishers Ltd.
Ahmed, A. (2018). Elite’s Brinkmanship and the Politicization of Anti-corruption Project in Nigeria: An Overview of the Anti-corruption War under the Buhari Administration. Sociology and Anthropology 6(1), pp 74–85. https://doi.org/10.13189/sa.2018.060107.
Akinola, A. (2018). Globalization, Democracy and Oil Sector Reform in Nigeria. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Alabi, M. O. A. (2009). The legislatures in Africa: A trajectory of weaknesses. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations 3 (5), pp. 233–241.
Alabi, M. O. A. & Fashagba, J. Y. 2010. ‘The Legislature and Anti-corruption Crusade under the Fourth Republic of Nigeria: Constitutional Imperatives and Practical Realities’. International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, 1(1.2), pp. 1–39.
Alamu, O. (2010). Narattive and Style in Nigerian (Nollywood) Films. African Study Monograph, 31, 4: 163–171.
Anyaegbunam, E. O. (2000). Assembly Handbook: A Legislator’s Companion. Lagos: FEF.
Babatunde, A.O. (2018.) Oil, Ethnicism and Sustainable National Integration in Contemporary Nigeria. In A. Adeniran & L. Ikuteyijo (eds.) Africa Now! Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, pp. 65–91.
Bisschoff, L. 2015. ‘From Nollywood to New Nollywood: the story of Nigeria’s runaway successes. The Conversation, September 28. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from, https://theconversation.com/from-nollywood-to-new-nollywood-the-story-of-nigerias-runaway-success-47959.
Daily Trust, (06/02/2018). FG re-arraigns Saraki again over false assets declaration. Retrieved on Marh 9, 2018, from, https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-re-arraigns-saraki-again-over-false-assets-declaration.html
Ekekwe, E. 1986. Class and State in Nigeria, Lagos: Longman.
Ewuim, N.C, Nnamani, D.O and Eberinwa, O.M. (2014). Legislative Oversight and Good Governance in Nigeria National Assembly: An Analysis of Obasanjo and Jonathan’s Administration. Review of Public Administration and Management 3(6), pp. 140–153.
Ezeibe, C. C. (2010). Federal Character Principle and Nationality Question in Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences, Vol. 2, pp. 78–87.
Fagbadebo, O. M. & Ruffin, F. (2017). Between the old and the new: Comparing the effectiveness of the pre-and post-colonial administrations in Nigeria. Idilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. 16(1), pp. 148–159.
Fashagba, J.Y. (2010). De-constitutionalising? Democratic governance in Nigeria: Assessing executive-legislative handling of executive power vacuum in the Fourth Republic. Africana, 4(1), pp. 7–44.
Fashagba, J.Y. (2009). Legislative Oversight under the Nigerian Presidential System. The Journal of Legislative Studies, 15 (4), pp. 439–459.
Fatile, J. O. (2017). Legislative–Executive Relations and Public Policy Formulation and Implementation in Lagos State, Nigeria. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development 10(6), pp. 41–52.
Gbadegesin, S. 2018. The (ir)rationality of perpetual intra-party conflicts. The Nation, March 16. Retrieved on April4, 2018, from http://thenationonlineng.net/irrationality-perpetual-intra-party-conflicts/
Hoeane, T. (2008). Floor-Crossing in South Africa: Entrenching or Undermining Democracy? Politeia, 27(2), pp. 70–88.
Ibeanu, O. and Egwu, S. (2007). Popular Perceptions of Democracy and Political Governance in Nigeria, Abuja: Centre For Democracy and Development.
Ike, C. C., Ifesinachi, K., and Nnamani, G. R. (2014). Reflections on State Security and Violence in Africa: A Prognostic Analysis. Open Journal of Political Science, 4(3), pp. 156–163
Ikechukwu, U. G. (2015). Political Nomadism and Its Implications on Political Development in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis. International Journal of African and Asian Studies, 9, pp. 75–86.
Inyang, A. J. (2017). Democratic Governance in Nigeria under the Buhari Change Mantra (2015–2017). Opinion Nigeria, July 24. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from, http://www.opinionnigeria.com/democratic-governance-in-nigeria-under-the-buhari-change-mantra-2015-2017-by-aniekpeno-john-inyang/#sthash.CDgELxUe.dpbs
Itua, F. (2016). 365 days in office: Senate leadership’s scorecards: 167 bills under consideration, 162 motions passed. The Sun, June 3. Downloaded in March 12, 2018
Jedlowski, A. (2011). When the Nigerian video fi lm industry became “Nollywood”: Naming, branding and the videos transnational mobility. Estudos Afro-Asiátcos 33(1–3), pp. 225–251.
John, I. 2012. NASS: This Hallowed Chambers of Corruption!’ The Nigerian Voice, July 23, Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/95125/nass-this-hallowed-chambers-of corruption.html
Lawrence, E. O. (2017). A Critical assessment of Corruption within the Legislature in Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 7(1), pp. 220–232.
Malthora, G.C. (2005). Anti-defection Law in India and the Commonwealth, New Delhi: Metropolitan Book Co Pvt Ltd.
Mattes, R and Mozaffar, S. (2011). Education, Legislators and Legislatures in Africa. Paper prepared for the Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa (HERANA). Centre for Higher Education Transformation (CHET)
Mezey, M. L. (1979). Comparative Legislatures. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press.
Miliband, R. (1977). Class Analysis, In: Gideons, A and Turner, J (eds) Social Theory Today. Standford: Standford University Press, pp. 325–345.
News Express. (2015). Performance of the outgoing National Assembly disastrous-Challenges before the Eight Assembly. Retrioeved on Marcgh 12, 2018, from http://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/detail.php?news=11468&title=Performance-of-the-outgoing-National-Assembly-disastrous-Intersociety-Highlights-challenges-before-the-Eight-Assembly
Nnochiri, I. (2017). False Declaration of assets: I’ve no case to answer, Saraki tells CCT’. Vanguard, May 5. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from, https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/false-declaration-assets-ive-no-case-answer-saraki-tells-cct/
Nwoba, M. O. E., Ojo, J. and Nwali, T. B. (2015). Understanding the Dynamics of Legislative Powers in Nigerian Local Government System: Implications for Rural development. Journal of Policy and Development Studies 9(4), pp. 157–9385.
Nworgu, K. (2006). Introduction to Research Methodology. Enugu: Cheston Publishers.
Obi, C. (2018). Resource Governance and the Crisis of Development. In Samuel Oloruntoba & Totin Falola (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of African Politics, Governance and Development. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Ochonu, M. E. (2016). Nigeria: The shattering of the Buhari mythology. African Arguments, Augustt 4. Reftrieeved f on March 9, 2018, from, http://africanarguments.org/2016/08/04/nigeria-the-shattering-of-the-buhari-mythology/
Odi, A. H and Wren, C. (2007). Parliamentary Strengthening in Developing Countries. Report for DFID produced by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). Overseas Development Institute.
Okocha, C. (2016). Eighth Senate: Milestones on the Road to National Development. This Day Newspaper, June 5.
Okoosi-Simbine, A. (2010). Understanding the Role and Challenges of the Legislature in the Fourth Republic: The Case of Oyo State House of Assembly. Nigeria Journal of Legislative Affairs, 3 (1& 2), 1–27.
Oladesu, E. (2016). Nigerians have poor perception about National Assembly. The Nation, September 23. Retrieved on March 10, 2018, from, http://thenationonlineng.net/nigerians-poor-perception-national-assembly/
Olakunle, G. (2016). The budget padding scandal. The Sun, August 10. Retrieved on March 16, 2018, from, http://sunnewsonline.com/the-budget-padding-scandal-2/
Olamiti, F. 2016. ‘The Change Mantra’. Vanguard, September 12. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/the-change-mantra/
Olaopa, O. R., Ayodele, O., Akinwale, Y. O. and Ogundari, I.O. (2014). Security and Securitization In Plateau State: The Significance of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices. A paper accepted for presentation at the International Conference organised by the Department of History and International Studies, University of Jos, Nigeria, June 30–July 2.
Olaopa, O.R. (2010). Legislative Experience, Political Commitment and Maturity as New Paradigms in Driving Democracy and Good Governance: The Case of Osun State. In M. O. A. Alabi (ed) Unbroken Legacy of Service: Speaker Bello’s Twelve Years under Three Administrations in Osun State. Ilorin: Intellectual Research Institute.
Olaopa, O. R., Ojakorotu, V. and Ayodele, O. (2016). Developing, Utilising and Promoting African Indigenous Knowledge Practices in Strategic Sectors: Issues, Challenges and Policy Options. Presented at 6th International Conference on African Unity for Renaissance on The Knowledge, Spiritual and Struggle Heritage for Re-imagining Innovative Africa. Organised by UNISA CAMPUS, Pretoria, South Africa at Saint George Hotel, May 22–25.
Omenka, J. I. (2008). Legislative Oversight and Socio-Economic Development in Benue State. A Thesis in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences Submitted to the School of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Jos, in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Economy and Development Studies of the University of Jos, plateau State, Nigeria.
Oparra, P (2017). Current Senate toothless bulldog from day one. Daily Post. April 16. Retrieved on March 16, 2018, from, http://dailypost.ng/2017/04/16/current-senate-toothless-bull-dog-weak-day-one-nup-chairman-opara/
Polsby N. W. (1975). Legislatures. In Greenstein, F. I. and Polsby, N. W., Handbook of Political Science, Governmental Institutions and Processes, Volume 5. Boston, MA: Addison Wesley.
Poteete, A. (2010). Renegotiation of Executive Powers and Executive-Legislative Relations in Botswana. Montreal: Concordia University Press.
Pouliagkos, Vasileios. (2017). Analysis of the Global Amusement Park Industry. An Unpublished Thesis Submitted to Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Partial fulfilment of the Requirements for Bachelor of Business Administration International Business and Logistics, September.
Saleh, L. (2017). Saraki’s CCT Trial: When Politics Drives Prosecution Saraki’s CCT Trial: When Politics Drives Prosecution. ThisDay, June 11. Retrieved on March 10, 2018, from, https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/06/11/sarakis-cct-trial-when-politics-drives-prosecution/
Siyanbola, W., Adeyeye, A., Olaopa, O. and Hassan, O. (2016). Science, Technology and Innovation indicators in policy-making: The Nigerian experience. Palgrave Communications. 2:16015 https://doi.org/10.1057/palcomms.2016.15.1.
Sobechi, L. (2016). Possible Implications of Ambushing Saraki at CCT. The Guardian, February 6. Retrieved on March 10, 2018, from https://guardian.ng/politics/possible-implications-of-ambushing-saraki-at-cct/
The Guardian, (12/8/2016). Legislators, Scandals and Distraction. Retrieved on March 16, 2018, from, https://guardian.ng/opinion/legislators-scandals-and-distractions/
This Day. (2016). Budget Padding Crisis: SAN Advises National Assembly Leadership to Intervene, July 31.
Tom, E. J. & Attai, A. J. (2014). The legislature and national development: The Nigerian Experience. Global Journal of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences. 2(9), pp. 63–78.
Tsa, G. & Orji, N. (2016). Alleged forgery: Why we dropped case against Saraki, Ekweremadu –FG. The Sun, October 8. Retrieved on March 16, 2018, from, http://sunnewsonline.com/alleged-forgery-why-we-dropped-case-against-saraki-ekweremadu-fg/
Umoru, H. (2016). Negative Perception about us by the Public is Worrisome-Senate’. Vanguard,August 30. Retrieved on March 10, 2018, from, https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/negative-perception-us-public-worrisome-senate/
Umukoro, D. (2016). Marking first year of the 8th Senate with celebration. Vanguard, June 18. Retrieved on March 12, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/marking-first-year-8th-senate-celebration/
UNECA, African Governance Report, 2005.
Unini, C. (2016). Eighth Senate: One Year After. The Nigeria Lawyer. Jun 2.
Vanguard, (15/09/2016). Buhari’s Change begins with me. Retrieved on March 9, 2018, from, https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/buharis-change-begins/
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Olaopa, O.R., Ojakorotu, V. (2019). Playing Nollywood with Parliamentary Duties: Nigeria’s National Assembly as a Theatre of Politics of the Amusement Park. In: Fagbadebo, O., Ruffin, F. (eds) Perspectives on the Legislature and the Prospects of Accountability in Nigeria and South Africa. Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93509-6_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93509-6_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93508-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93509-6
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)