Legislative-Judicial Relations and Budget Implementation in Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Legislative-Judicial Relations and Budget Implementation in Nigeria

Udoji, Chibuike Raphael¹, Johnpaul Onyebuchi Nduba², Jude Chiedozie Okwuadimma^3
1,2,3Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract: Since the return of democracy in 1999, the implementation of the budget in Nigeria has been a major concern. There have been many explanations for the poor performance of the federal government in capital budgets, including the late introduction, execution and adoption of the budget; the late distribution of funds to the federal departments and agencies, and the inadequate use of resources; but little attention has been given to the position of the judiciary in this regard. As a result, this paper examines legislative-judicial ties and the implementation of the budget in Nigeria. The paper collected data from secondary sources. The results of the study shows that the legislature and the judiciary, as institutions, do not perform their functions and duties in regulating the excesses of the executive branch of the government and its MDAs, in particular with respect to the complete execution of the budget enacted into law in Nigeria. The paper, therefore, suggests that the legislature and the judiciary should perform their duties and work effectively to monitor the excesses of the executive branch of the government, in particular, to ensure the full implementation of approved budgets.

Keywords: Legislature, Judiciary, Relations, Democracy, Budgets.

I. INTRODUCTION

The executive, legislature and judiciary are central bodies in the governance process in any democratic system worldwide. Indeed, without these institutions, responsible for law-making, execution and adjudication, there is no democracy in contemporary era. Such a democracy is rare, if not nearly impossible, without these bodies. Fatile & Adejuwon (2016) notes that the presence of all three organs of government (the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary) that oils the process, apart from the existence and demonstration of political parties and choices, is one hallmark of modern democracies. Function, cooperation, coordination and even governance in a democratic system will crumble to a halt without their very existence.

In fact, the interconnect between these distinct and separate governmental bodies is a constant feature of democracy, particularly in presidential systems, though sometimes cordial. Consequently, the basicity of such bodies cannot be overstated in a modern democracy. In this context, Yogendrin (2005) points out that, in the modern state, the executive implements laws, policies and programs while the legislature gives form and direction to the policies and programs at the national level and formulates law.

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