RELEVANCE OF LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Legislative oversight is a robust mechanism institutionalized to check the excesses of the executive arm of government and government agencies, to minimise waste in governance, corruption and absolutism in the exercise of political power. This institution has, however, come under serious criticism as to its relevance in Nigerian democracy due mainly to percieved misuse. This study examines the relevance of legislative oversight in the attempt by the Nigerian government to minimise the incidence of corruption in the use of state power. The study is built around the theory of structural functionalism.Data for the study were generated from documentary materials and analysed through descriptive content analysis. The study reveals that this critical aspect of the functions of the legislature has been severely compromised and often misused. It alsosuggests that legislative oversight can become effective once again if greater value is given to citizenship through a reformed electoral process which gives more power to the vote and, ultimately, enhance the capacity of voters to control public officers through the possibility of rejection at the polls.