Abstract
The legislature has intrinsic limitations. It is often polarized along ideological, ethno-religious, geopolitical, sectarian and other divisive interests. In developing countries, even in some advanced democracies, the legislature is confronted with the challenge of accessing real-time reliable, credible and robust information to enable it to play its watchdog role of holding the executive and private sector accountable. Often, the legislature depends on the same objects of oversight, such as the executive arm and private sector operatives, for information needed to conduct effective oversight. Information asymmetry tips the balance against the constitutional custodian of accountability and renders the legislature vulnerable to hijack and control by powerful vested interests.
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Aremu, F.A., Bakare, A.R. (2021). Twenty Years of Legislative Politics and Governance in Nigeria: How Far, How Well?. In: Aremu, F.A., Bakare, A.R. (eds) Two Decades of Legislative Politics and Governance in Nigeria’s National Assembly. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4455-6_15
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