Impeachment in the Nigerian Presidential System: Challenges, Successes and the Way Forward

Description

This book explores the politics associated with the exercise of the legislative power of impeachment as intended by the drafters of the Constitution in Nigeria. It interrogates the exercise of the power of impeachment with reference to the intended purpose and examines its failures in the cases of impeachment in the country. It analyzes the interplay of power in the governing institutions in Nigeria’s political system, which involved the understanding of a web of interactions among elites within a political structure relating with others outside its sphere of operation. It presents an analysis of the politics associated with impeachment within the framework of the activities of different political actors operating in different political structures assigned to perform certain statutory roles in the political system. The book shows how the selective use of impeachment provisions as instrument of political vendetta and harassment has weakened the potency of this oversight power of the legislature thereby engendering accountability problem in the Nigerian presidential system. Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations Contents List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction: Power and Politics in Presidential Systems Introduction Issues and Contentions The Rationale for the Book References Chapter 2: Impeachment in Presidential Systems: Comparative Features and Characteristics of Purpose and Practice Introduction Perspectives on Presidential System The Traditional Conception of Presidentialism The New Generation/Developmental School of Presidential Systems Impeachment in Presidential Systems The Purpose of Impeachment in Presidential Systems Impeachment in Developing Presidential Systems Accountability in Presidential Systems Conclusion References Chapter 3: Structures, Actors, and Impeachment in the Nigerian Presidential System: Content and Context Introduction Structures and Functions in Political Systems Legislative Role Theory and Representation Mode of Representation Elites in the Political Process Strategic Political Elites in the Legislative Process Structures, Functions, and Elite Behavior in Impeachment Procedures The Nature and Characteristics of Nigerian Political Elites Impeachment and Governance Crisis in Nigeria: An Irony Conclusion References Chapter 4: Impeachment Cases in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic Introduction Impeachment in Oyo State Allegations of Gross Misconduct Against Governor Ladoja Impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State Allegations of Corruption Against Governors Joshua Chibi Dariye The Cases of Impeachment in Bayelsa State Allegations of Corruption against Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Impeachment in Anambra State Impeachment in Ekiti State Impeachment in Nasarawa State Impeachment in Adamawa State The Politics of Impeachment in Adamawa State Impeachment in Ondo State Allegations of Gross Misconduct against Ali Olanusi Impeachment in Bauchi State Impeachment in Imo State Threat of Impeachment against President Obasanjo Conclusion References Chapter 5: Experience Turned Sour: Impeachment Episodes in Osun State Introduction The Failed Impeachment Attempt of Governor Bisi Akande Allegations of Gross Misconduct Against Governor Bisi Akande The Politics of the Failed Impeachment of Bisi Akande The Second Attempt to Impeach Governor Bisi Akande The Impeachment of Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Omisore Intra-Executive Rift and the Impeachment Crisis in Osun State The Sour Tastes of Impeachment Episodes in Osun State Conclusion References Chapter 6: The Judiciary and the Politics of Impeachment in Nigeria’s Political System Introduction Judicial Review The Judiciary in Nigeria’s Presidential System Constitutional Provisions on, and Judicial Review of, Impeachment Procedures in the Nigerian Fourth Republic The Characteristic Features of the Impeachment Provision: Requirements of Membership and the Authority of the Speaker Service of the Notice of Allegations Containing Articles of Impeachment Gross Misconduct The Ouster Clause The Politics of Judicial Shield in Impeachment Cases in Nigeria The Latest Dimension of Breaches of the Impeachment Provisions: The Case of Kogi State The Intent of the Impeachment Provisions in Nigeria’s Presidential Constitution Conclusion References Chapter 7: Patron-Client Politics and the Politics of Impeachment in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic Introduction Patron-Client Politics (Godfatherism) in Nigeria’s Presidential System Conceptualizing Godfatherism Through Practical Experiences The “Revolt” of the “Godson” and the Impeachment of Governor Ladoja of Oyo State Fragmented-Party-in-Government and the Analysis of the Politics of Impeachment in Nigeria: The Impeachment of Governor Dariye Legislative Shield and the Politics of Impeachment Conclusion References Chapter 8: From Parliamentary to Presidentialism: Different Governing Systems and Practice with Similar Outcomes Introduction The Politics of Leadership Removal in the First Republic, 1960–1966: The Case of the Western Region Presidentialism in Nigeria’s Political System in the Second Republic, 1979–1983 Impeachment in Nigeria’s Presidential System The Impeachment of Governor Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa of Kaduna State Abuse and Misuse of the Power of Impeachment in the Second Republic Conclusion References Chapter 9: The Failure of Impeachment in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Sacred Cows and the Scourge of Gross Misconduct Introduction The Politics Associated with the Impeachment of Deputy Governors The EFCC Investigation and the Indictment of some Former Governors: Outcomes and Problems Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto State Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State Convictions: Bala Ngilari, Joshua Dariye, Jolly Nyame, and Orji Kalu Saint at Home, Convict Abroad: The Analysis of the Abuse of Power by and Corruption Charges against James Ibori Conclusion References Chapter 10: Conclusion: Making Impeachment an Instrument of Accountability and Good Governance in the Nigeria’s Presidential System Introduction The Crisis of Institutional Integrity in the Nigeria’s Presidential System Discoveries Impeachment and the Mercantilist Politics in Nigeria Conclusion: Making Impeachment Work in Nigeria References Index