Legislative approval of executive appointments by the national assembly in Nigeria: a vindictive or a constitutional duty?

Abstract

The power to approve presidential nominees for the office of ministers of the federation, ambassadors, and members of the Board of other executive bodies is vested in the Senate, while the power to approve governor’s nominees for Commissioners and members of other State executive bodies vest in the House of Assembly of the State. The Chairmen and members of these bodies shall be removed for misconduct by the President on approval of the Senate, while the chairmen and members of the boards at the State level shall be removed by the Governor on approval of the House of Assembly of a State. The House of Representatives is deliberately excused from participating in the approval of Presidential appointment. This paper examines how this power is being exercised both at the Federal and State levels in Nigeria. Is the power exercised in a vindictive manner to deal with a political enemy or in a patriotic manner in order to engender good governance? The paper concludes that the power should be exercised in a way that peace, order and good governance shall be promoted both at the Federal and State levels.

Keywords: Executive appointments, Legislative approval, National Assembly, Constitutional duty