LEGISLATIVE IMPERATIVE, INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROPENSITY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper looked at the legislature from 1999 to date. The Legislative arm of government is a very important institution of government, it does not only complement other arms of government but also acts as a check and balance on other equally germane arms of government. Under military regimes, the Legislative arm of government is scrapped, the only arms of government that existed under the military were the Executive and Judiciary. In Nigeria, the institutions that performed the role of the Legislature under the military were the Supreme Military Council (SMC), Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) and Provincial Ruling Council (PRC). But as soon as a Democratic government is installed, a legitimate legislative arm is properly constituted, which comprises a duly elected representative of the people, who are elected from across the country. And, the Legislature performs three key functions namely representation, oversight and lawmaking. However, it is imperative to underscore the fact that the Legislature performs several other vital roles, hence this paper stated emphatically what has become of this very important arm of government, what should be done about their unholy and extremely high wages and allowances which are more often than not shrouded in secrecy. Nowadays, where is the Legislative arm of government synonymous with corruption? Why is the public perception of the legislature negative and why is it seen as a retirement haven for an assortment of politicians? But, how best can they contribute to national development and nation-building? This study utilized a qualitative content analysis approach, focusing on existing literature, governmental reports, policy documents, and academic articles related to legislative imperatives, institutional accountability, and national development in Nigeria. The analysis will systematically identify themes, patterns, and narratives that illustrate the relationship between legislative actions and development outcomes. By synthesizing insights from various sources, including case studies and theoretical frameworks, the study aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of Nigeria's legislative processes, accountability mechanisms, and their impact on national development. Results will offer a comprehensive understanding of these interconnected dynamics within the Nigerian context. The qualitative research methodology is deployed, while collective action theory is used as the theoretical framework. The qualitative analysis of existing literature reveals several key findings regarding the interplay between legislative imperatives, institutional accountability, and national development in Nigeria. First, legislative frameworks often lack effective enforcement mechanisms, undermining accountability and fostering corruption. Second, the absence of robust oversight has led to inefficient resource allocation and inhibited developmental initiatives. Third, while constitutional provisions promote accountability, political patronage and ethnic considerations frequently compromise legislative effectiveness. Finally, the study highlights the need for strengthened institutional frameworks and greater civic engagement to enhance legislative responsiveness and foster sustainable national development, emphasizing the critical role of accountability in achieving developmental goals. Thereafter, the conclusion was drawn and recommendations preferred, which include amongst others the implementation of robust anti-corruption measures within the legislature to prevent and combat corrupt practices among legislators. Two, strengthening the capacity of the legislative branch by providing adequate resources, training programs, and technical support to legislators and staff, and upholding the principle of legislative autonomy by promoting checks and balances, separation of powers, and effective accountability mechanisms.