Introduction
1.1 Statement Of The Problem
The legislature is an important arm of government in the democratic process empowered to make, change, or repeal its laws and to levy and regulate its taxes. Beside the role of law making, which is traditionally associated with the legislature from antiquity, it is also an instrument for representative government. It is therefore not debatable that the modern legislatures are the engine of democracy in our contemporary world today.
With the return of democratic rule in Nigeria in May 1999, many had hoped that the dividends, which democracy confers on the society would manifest in Nigeria, albeit the legislative chamber in Nigeria. However, this has remained an illusion for the past eight years of democratic rule in a country which failed to change the fortunes of the masses.
Regardless of the central position of the legislature in our democratic process; especially in this current democratic era, no empirical studies have been conducted to examine the Nigerian legislature with a view of providing an empirical account for its effectiveness. Rather studies have concentrated on the executive and the electoral process, ignoring the legislature.
It is rather unfortunate, neglect of the legislative arm of government in Nigeria has necessitated this study to provide empirical factors that have made the Nigerian legislature ineffective in changing the lost of the masses and in providing for quality representation.
To achieve this aim, the following questions have been designed to guide the research work:
- To what extent has the Nigerian legislature performed its role in the democratic process in the country?
- Are there factors that account for the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian legislature?
- What is the achievement of the Nigerian legislature since the return of democracy in 1999?
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