Organisational Politics and Performance of the Nigeria Eighth and Ninth National Assemblies

This study investigated the effects organizational politics on the performance of Nigeria 8th and 9th National Assembly. The study adopted the descriptive survey design, with a population consisting of 4,110 staff of the National Assembly, which included elected, appointed and career staff of both Senate and House of Representatives. The sample size was 365 respondents drawn from the various departments of the National Assembly using multistage sampling technique and the Taro Yamane formula. Furthermore, the instrument for the collection of data for this study was questionnaire. Each of the subscale contains various items that border on each of the three independent variables of the study that constitute the objectives. The instrument was checked for validity and reliability, and a minimum reliability coefficient of 0.75 was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha method reliability index for each category. The instrument was administered to the respondents through direct delivery method by the researcher, and with the help of three research assistants trained by the researcher. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS mean, standard deviation and simple percentages methods. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05% level of significance using the Chi-square Fit of Goodness Test analysis in SPSS. Results from the study revealed that organizational politics had a significant effect on the selection of principal officers, appointment of committee members and affected the law-making and oversight functions of the 8th and 9th Assemblies. The study recommended that among others that lawmakers, executive and political parties should be selfless and patriotic in selection of principal officers of the National Assembly.