Legislative control of the executive in Nigeria under the second republic 1979-1988

This thesis examined the nature of legislative control of the Executive arm of the government during the Second Republic (1979-1983). This was in the light of the failure of Nigeria's second attempt at constitutional democracy. The fall of the Second republic rnised some questions as to how and why the Presi dential mode! which was con si dered a better alternative to the pari iamentary system also failed. Attempts at explaining the demise of the Republic tend to suggest that the executive arm was largely responsible. lt is against this background that this study was undertaken to determine the extent to which the Executive arm was committed to upholding the ideals of public accountability and administrative responsiveness during the period examined. the study also attempted to determine the extent to which the Leg islatu re succeeded or fai led in performi ng its constitutional responsi bi I ity of controlling the Executive as prescribed. The methodology utilized was theoretical, analytic and descriptive. primary data were collected from Hansard, Reports of the various legislative Houses, and
interviews. Secondary data were collected from Government documents, Reports, Manuscri pts, Pamphlets, reference materials as wel l as Newspaper reports. 1 n addition, the study made use of Bibliographie studies for theoretical and comparative information. ln essence, the study examined the history of legislative control of the Executive in Nigeria. lt also analysed the theoi-y and practice of the 1979 Constitution against the background of legislative contrai of the executive. Special reference was made to the efficacy ~f specific control mechanisms I i ke impeachment, ratification of specific executive appointments, financial contrai, investigatory powers use of -special adjournment motions etc.