Pages: (21-38 )
Abstract
This paper examined the decision to offer asylum status to President Charles Taylor of Liberia by the Nigerian Federal
Executive and the role of the Nigerian NationalAssembly in that process.Usingbothprimaryandsecondarydata,thepaper argued
that in August 2003, the Federal Government in Nigeria offered asylum to President Charles Taylor to end the conflict in Liberia and the humanitarian crisis it generated. The Nigerian National Assembly which shares constitutional powers with the executive in foreign policy decision-making was expected to play an active role. However, while the Nigerian Senate played an active part in the asylum decision, the House of Representatives alleged that it was excluded and marginalisation from being part of the decision. As a result,theHouse ofRepresentatives opposed the asylum and urged the Federal Government to surrender Mr Taylor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) for prosecution.The lack ofinternal consensus onTaylor's asylumled to growing domestic opposition as well as international pressure on the Obasanjo's government to surrender Taylor to SCSL for trial. After initial resistance, Obasanjo's administration bowed to pressure and handed Taylor over to the Liberian President. Since foreign policy is an extension of domestic politics, the Executive in Nigeria should ensure adequate internal consultation, particularly, with the National Assembly which shares constitutional responsibilities in external relations, to project a robust and coherent foreign policy
Keywords: Nigerian National Assembly, Asylum, The Senate, Charles Taylor, Executive-Legislative Relations.,