LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT FUNCTION AND DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OVERSIGHT ON OBASANJO AND BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATIONS ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGNS 1999-2007 AND 2016-2023

Abstract

This research work underscored the performance of legislative oversight functions of the National Lawmakers in the Fourth Republic. An attempt was made to examine the performance of legislative oversight on the Nigerian democracy. It is a historical review study, consequently, the researchers employed secondary data as a tool for gathering data, using expository and deductive analysis.  Since the focus is legislative oversight functions in the Fourth Republic, we used the principle of Separation of Powers and Check and Balances in a democracy as a lens to examine the study. The application of these principles as contained in 1999 Nigerian Constitution breaded conflicts in several ways and sometimes resulted in a stalemate between the legislature and executive in the Fourth Republic. The dynamics of legislation in a developing nation like Nigeria accounts for the choice of the state and national assembly as the research universe. The critical analysis, findings and carefully drawn conclusions became the yardstick for measuring the performances of the state and national legislators in their oversight in the Fourth Republic. In order to enhance effective oversight functions for the nation, there is thus the need for research efforts be made to encourage the pragmatic interpretation and application of the concept of Separation of Powers. Each institution should carry out its functions in such a way to enhance its own performance and the performance of other institutions of government.