Separation Of Powers In The Nigerian Political System

In French system, the functions of local government cannot be completely listed out,as theseare being carried out by different tiers of local government. This is unlike what obtains in Nigeria where one can point to a particular section of the constitution, (Fourth schedule) that listed out the functions of local government councils (NOUN Course Guide 2006). Moreover, in France, the functions of local units of administration are growing daily “as a result of population explosion, rapid industrialization and urbanization of France with the corresponding growing demand for social services” (NOUN Course Guide 2006:767). In Nigeria, a lot of the functions of local government have been taken over by the state and federal governments. This is in

The French political system is such that, there is provision for separation of powers among the three arms of government though, in reality what exist is fusion of powers. (Bello – Imam) For instance, “the Prime Minister who is the leader of the cabinet belongs to both the executive and legislative arms of government”. (Bello-Imam 2005:7). In the Nigerian Political System, there is clear separation of powers between the three arms of government as provided for by the 1999 constitution. Bello-Imam (2005) opined that, separation of powers among the three arms of government is necessary in order to maintain personal liberty and integrity, while fusion of powers is indispensable in order to promote harmony and good governance. There is no doubting the fact that, for efficiency to exist in governance there must be in existence elements of separation of powers and fusion of powers.

A comparison of the Nigerian and French local government system will not be complete without considering the similarities between both systems. The similarities are as follows: It is noteworthy that both the French and Nigerian Local Governments perform functions that are stipulated for them by law. For example, the fourth schedule of the 1999 constitution in Nigeria stipulates the functions of local governments in Nigeria. The functions in both countries concern such areas as collection of taxes, levies and rates, provision

In France, the judiciary and the legislature can check the excesses of the President to forestall autocracy. Precisely, the President can be indicted by the legislature. (Bello-Imam 2005). In Nigeria, the President can veto bills from the legislature, while actions of both the executive and the legislative can be declared ultra-vires by the judiciary.

Conclusion

From the foregoing, it would be seen that local governments have important role to play in rural development, whether in Nigeria or France or in other climes. However, the extent to which they are able to promote rural development depends on the autonomy given them by the central government, resources available and the commitment of the political leaders.

Recommendations

In order for any meaningful development to occur in the rural communities, the following recommendations are hereby