Legislative -Executive Relations and Development in Nigeria's Fourth Republic:2019-2023

Abstract

This study examines the nature and dynamics of legislative-executive relations under the Fourth Republic of Nigeria, specifically the 9th National Assembly (2019-2023) of President Muhammadu Buhari. It questions the constitutional, political and institutional interface involved in the legislature and the executive and how they impact governance and national development. The paper is anchored on the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, which are provisions of the 1999 Constitution and examines how the pursuit of harmonious relations between the two arms of government grew into too much cooperation that compromised the independence of the legislature. Based on secondary data, official reports and media coverage, the work found out that although the 9th National Assembly enjoyed legislative achievements, especially in law-making and passing of appropriation bills on time; it failed to meet the expectation of the people regarding its oversight mandate as evidenced in the number of oversight hearings, the rate at which executive bills were tabled and underwent substantive amendments, and the results of high-profile investigations. In this context, the attitude of the National Assembly towards the executive had been termed as compliant or rubber stamp, but this designation is relative to the assessing standards which are used. The era also corresponded with increasing government debt, ineffective policies and transparency concerns. The paper revealed that too much legislative-executive cooperation leads to a decline in democratic checks and undermines institutional accountability. It thus proposed the enhancement of legislative independence, capacity building towards effective oversight and compliance with constitutional separation of powers as requirements for sustainable democratic government in Nigeria