Executive-Legislature Rift, Corruption and Implications for Nation-Building in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the consequences and implications of system flaws which breed rift in the process of establishing functional Executive/Legislature relations, a necessary pre-requisite of nation-building and democratization in Nigeria. This paper takes a historical analysis to access the inherent challenges of corruption on the legislative arm of government in their performance of over-sight functions. The balance of power and separation of power thesis were used as a framework for analysing the need for continued Executive/Legislature relations in consolidating democracy in Nigeria. The paper discovered that institutionalized corruption amongst the legislative organ of government is a major impediment to the discharge of over-sight function amongst legislative officers. The paper recommends radical constitutional reforms model aimed at witling down the powers of the legislature as regards over-sight function and their roles limited to advisory functions thereby limiting bribes in the discharge of responsibility.