Accountability in constitutional democracy is best enforced through a system of

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which mechanism best enforces accountability in a constitutional democracy. Accountability means that those in power must answer for their actions and can be held responsible for them.

Step 2: Explain the concept In a constitutional democracy, power is divided among the three arms of government:

• Legislature (makes laws)
• Executive (implements laws)
• Judiciary (interprets laws)

Under checks and balances, each arm can monitor and limit the others. Examples from Nigeria:

• The National Assembly can investigate the executive, approve ministerial appointments, and even impeach the President or Governors.
• The Judiciary can declare executive or legislative actions unconstitutional (judicial review).
• The President can veto bills passed by the legislature.

Because this system is built into the constitution, it is institutional and legally binding. This is what makes it the strongest enforcer of accountability.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Checks and balances: Correct. It is a formal constitutional mechanism that forces each arm to answer to the others.
• B. Civil society organisations: They help by monitoring and advocating, but they have no constitutional power to enforce or sanction. They support accountability rather than enforce it.
• C. Subversion of the law: This means undermining the law, which is the opposite of accountability.
• D. Selection of the right leaders: Good leaders help, but selecting them does not guarantee accountability. Without institutional controls, even good leaders can abuse power.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is A. checks and balances.

Tip: When you see "enforced" or "best ensures" in a Government question about accountability, think of institutional mechanisms (checks and balances, separation of powers, judicial review) rather than informal ones like pressure groups or the media. A quick memory aid: "Checks stop abuse; balances share the load."