Numerous arguments have been put out by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, to support the current arrangement of cooperation between the National Assembly and the Executive.
The revelation was made by the Senate President in a document he presented on Thursday, October 20, 2022.
Lawan disclosed this at the just finished State House, Abuja, Third Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat. The ninth National Assembly, according to Lawan, was the most active since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999 because of the ongoing good ties between the branches of government.
According to him, president Muhammadu Buhari has so far signed into law 84 of the nine Assembly’s enacted bills; the most of any Nigerian president.
His paper was titled: “Collaboration to deliver: Fostering Executive/Legislative relationship and opportunities for legacy legislation.”
Correspondingly, Lawan stated that his presentation was“best understood within the context of our presidential system of government and the doctrine of the separation of powers.
“The three arms of government are separate but interdependent…The ultimate goal of each is to deliver good governance and meet the aspirations of all Nigerians.
“Many Nigerians have come to construe harmonious executive-legislative relations as a sign of weakness or subservience to the executive.
“Nothing can be further from the truth than this misperception which we must painstakingly work to correct.
“It is not uncommon for some to view the three arms of government as occupying separate, identifiable domains of power and responsibility; with little opportunity or need for interaction. However, this kind of dualism is not only untenable but damaging. It is now widely recognised that good national governance depends on core state institutions working cooperatively.
“A constructive relationship between the three arms of government, i.e., legislature, the executive and the judiciary, is essential to effectively maintaining the constitution and promoting the rule of law.
“Timely consultations between all stakeholders can play a significant role in avoiding gridlocks; improving understanding and delivering development to the people on whose behalf we govern.
“The legislature is constituted by the people’s direct representatives and is responsible for reflecting the voices of ordinary Nigerians.
“This cannot be achieved through unnecessary grandstanding, conflict and war of egos. As the cliché rightly states, ‘where two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers’.
“At the beginning of the 9th Assembly, we took a deliberate position to collaborate with the executive to ensure that the cardinal objective of government (welfare and security of citizens) is met.
“The results of our collaboration are clear for all to see. President Muhammadu Buhari has granted assent to eighty four(84) bills so far, the largest by any Nigerian president.
“Many of the Acts enacted have immediate and long-term impacts on all aspects of our national life; including the economy, security, and democratic institutions.” (1st News)
