Stakeholders at a one day legislative media symposium organised in Abeokuta by the Forum for Governance, Leadership and Values have decried the subservient nature of the legislative arm to the executive arm of the government in the country.
They insisted that this undemocratic posture is a major hindrance to good governance and desired democratic growth in the country.
The symposium with the theme “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process” also featured the decoration of the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola as the Legislative Icon in Nigeria.
Lawal Orisadare, while speaking on behalf of the Forum on Sunday, emphasised that deliberate effort is needed and must be made to strengthen the independence of the legislative arm of government, which has almost become a beggar in the hands of the executive arm.
He explained that the theory of separation of powers, which gave birth to the three arms of government, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature, is to prevent abuse of power and promote accountability and good governance.
The lawyer, however, lamented that the legislatures have not fared so well in this regard, having been almost pocketed by the executive arm of the government.
He said that the legislature must be able to exercise the power to make laws that will address the needs of Nigerians and promote good governance.
Orisadare added that “The law must enhance the legislature’s ability to represent the interests of Nigerians, particularly marginalized groups and hold their executive accountable for their actions.
The Legislatures must be strengthened to conduct effective oversight monitoring of the executive activities and ensure transparency and accountability in governance.”
Delivering his lecture on the theme of the symposium, Professor of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Moshood Omotosho lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political mafias are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria’s legislative arm.
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Prof. Omotosho listed the challenges facing the legislature to include political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups.
The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
The university lecturer has however urged the legislators not to compromise their crucial roles of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making and promoting good governance, amongst others, despite the challenges.
The Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Morakinyo Akinleye who represented Senator Olamilekan in his submission at event, described the Ogun West Senator as a thoroughbreds legislator who has remained committed to using the instrument of lawmaking to expand frontiers of good governance not only in Ogun State but across the country.
He said, “The legislators are representatives of the people at the grassroots. Senator Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi should be commended for managing the committee’s responsibilities. He knows the people and knows what they want.”
Also, the convener of the event, Bolaji Adeniji disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to society, calling for support for legislators for effective representation.
Adeniji said “We are here today to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to society.
There has been a lot of backlash against the legislature as being in cahoots with the executive, but we know that the legislatures are doing well and their roles cannot be underestimated.
What we need to do is to support them to do the right thing for the people. We are happy that somebody like Senator Adeola Olamilekan, a key pillar of the National Assembly, is being honoured here today. Not just for his contribution to the national assembly but for the people he represents”.
