The Role of Legislative Oversight and Constituent Development in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Whilst there have been several studies investigating legislative oversight and its impact on constituents in different states in Nigeria, there appears to be a paucity of literature on this, with respect to Enugu State. This is why we examined legislative oversight's impact on constituent development in Enugu State, Nigeria. Drawing on a survey of 241 respondents/constituents, as well as a one-on-one in-depth interview with legislators of two constituent areas of Enugu East and Enugu South Local Government Areas, we analytically describe how legislative oversight impacts the day-to-day lives of constituents in Enugu State metropolis. The study reveals mixed findings of opinion between the legislators and their constituents. On one hand, the legislators strongly claimed that they carry out an oversight function by visiting and interacting with their constituents to know what they feel about government policies; constituents, on the other hand, strongly reject such a claim. However, there was a point of convergence in opinion between them as both groups agree that new projects/infrastructure have been instituted at the behest of legislators representing their constituents. Aggressive political education and sensitization are strongly recommended to ensure that constituents continue to hold their legislators to account, who in turn would hold the executive to account regarding policies and decisions affecting their constituents.