Enhancing Parliamentary Oversight for Effective Security Sector Reform in Democratic Nigeria

Abstract

The provision of the most essential public good – security in accordance with the will of the people is very  germane to the consolidation of democratic governance. Though, the Nigerian state is set to inaugurate her 8th National Assembly on 9th June, 2015, the capacity of the nation’s parliamentary body (National  Assembly) to provide effective parliamentary oversight over the nation’s security sector for the  establishment of a democratic security forces is grossly deficient. In light of this, the objective of this  paper is to explore how the Nigeria’s parliamentary body can be energized in the performance of its  oversight functions over the nation’s security sector. The study employed the descriptive survey research method. It was revealed that the inadequate capacity of the parliamentarians in the performance of their  oversight functions partly accounts for the incessant violation of the fundamental human rights of the  people by the nation’s security forces. Thus, it becomes imperative that the capacity of the nation’s  parliamentary body to carry out her oversight responsibilities be greatly strengthened. This, the paper  posits can be achieved when there is a considerable improvement in the knowledge base of the  parliamentarians on the workings of the entire security sector and the logic and methods of her  performance of the oversight functions and a comprehensive review of the constitution with a view to  freeing the security forces from the exclusive control of the presidency. The paper concludes that it is only when there is an effective parliamentary oversight over Nigeria’s security agencies that the prevalent  executive control over the sector can be moderated in line with democratic principles and practices.

Keywords: Democracy, Nigeria, Parliamentary Oversight, Security Sector Reform