IMPROVING EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Recent trends in Nigeria show that the simmering feud between the executive and legislative arms of government has degenerated to open conflict. As the 2019 general election approaches, this issue has become more concerning. Stability of the relations between these arms of government is essential to deepening democratic processes and fostering the growth of the country. Independence of the arms of government is an absolute necessity for the enthronement of civil liberties in any democracy. By the very nature of the presidential system, tension is unavoidable in legislative/executive relations. Nonetheless, political actors in the two branches are expected to manage their relationship with a view to ensuring that it translates to good governance for the overall benefit of citizens. There is, therefore, a need to establish good relations between these two arms of government in order to ward off disastrous consequences for the country’s nascent democracy. This paper discussed the appropriate legal and policy mechanisms to improve in the relationship of the two arms. From legal standpoint, certain sections of the constitution need to be altered to clarify the legislative powers to screen executive nominations and the limits of such nominations; and to clarify the power of appropriation of the National Assembly. With regards to policy measures, there is need to deepen executive understanding of the strategic of the legislative branch in the entire democratic architecture in order to avoid the apparent prevailing impression that the legislative branch is an undesirable meddlesome interloper in governance.