Chairman, Conference of Speakers of States’ Legislatures, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin has disclosed that legislative oversight function is crucial to ensure accountability, transparency and responsiveness in governance.
Ogundoyin who is also the speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, emphasised the importance of legislative oversight, also highlighted its importance and prospects.
Speaking at the 7th annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable, and 75th posthumous birthday of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi held at the Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, noted that, “Legislative oversight is crucial for ensuring accountability, transparency and responsiveness in governance.
The theme of the Roundtable was, “Legislative Oversight and Accountability in Nigeria, Challenges and Prospects.”
He said, “As lawmakers, legislative oversight is a vital component of democratic governance which ensures that the executive branch is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the citizens.
“Through oversight, legislatures can prevent the abuse of power, corruption, and the infringement on citizens’ rights. It also enables us to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of government policies and programs, identifying areas for improvement and making necessary adjustments.”
The speaker, however, acknowledged that legislative oversight faces numerous challenges in Nigeria, including lack of resources, weak institutional framework, politicisation and dominance of the executive branch.
Despite these challenges, Ogundoyin expressed optimism about the prospects for effective legislative oversight in Nigeria.
“Fortunately, despite the challenges facing legislative oversight in Nigeria, the prospects for effective oversight are promising, with potential benefits for accountability, transparency, good ethics and good governance,’’ he said.
