Exploring the politics of impeachment in Nigeria's presidential system : insights from selected states in the fourth republic, 1990-2007.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
This study, through extensive empirical fieldwork research through interviews, interrogates
the politics associated with the exercise of the power by the legislature to remove heads of the
executive branch of government in the Nigerian presidential system. The study draws insights
from the cases of impeachment in some selected states from 1999-2007. Through the
frameworks of structural functionalism, elite and legislative role theories, the study analyzed
the behaviors, attitudes and dispositions of the Nigerian political elite towards the exercise of
requisite constitutional powers. The findings of the study show that external influence
weakens the institutional capacity of the legislature to effectively exercise its oversight power
over the executive. The prevalence of patron-client politics encouraged a selective application
of impeachment provisions as an instrument of political vendetta and harassment. This has
weakened the oversight power of the legislature thereby engendering accountability
problems. It also deepens the crisis of governance because of the failure of the relevant
institutional framework to tame unethical behaviour exercised by the political elite.
Additionally, the Nigerian presidential system is unable to deliver public goods through an
integrated institutional process. Policy outputs run contrary to the institutional framework that
is supposed to provide the requisite capacity for the promotion of good governance in their
exercise of political power, the political elite exploit institutional structures and processes at
the expense of the public. This has evolved into a political culture that undermines good
governance. The study therefore recommends the need for multiple measures of
accountability, a truly independent judiciary, legislative independence and a reorientation of
the people’s perception of political power.
Description
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2016 .
Keywords
Theses--Population studies., Presidents--Nigeria., Nigeria--Politics and government., Impeachments--Nigeria.