The Director General of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman has observed that required legislative vibrancy in Nigeria has over the years been hampered by executive dominance said
Professor Sulaiman spoke on Friday in Abuja at a 2 – day capacity building workshop organised for Clerks, Deputy Clerks and Directors of Legal Departments from National and State Houses of Assembly.
He said the dominance has made legislative arm to be subservient to the executive.
“Traditionally, the historical disadvantage of the legislature in Nigeria has resulted in its subservience to the Executive.
“This has been further worsened by a culture of executive dominance.
“The relatively weaker position of the legislature vis – a – vis the other arms of government has not been helped by the high turnover rates that have been on the rise since 2003.
“The just concluded party primaries show this Stark reality, with 80 percent of legislators likely not to return in 2023. Over the years, this development has further undermined the legislature, eroded legislative capacity and diminished the confidence of the legislature as an institution.
“This reality places heavy demands on parliamentary staff, who constitute the institutional memory of of the legislature, making capacity building workshop of this nature for them, very necessary from time to time “, he said.
He added that knowledge acquired at the Workshop by the parliamentary workers, will strengthen their legislative functions and outputs and further consolidate the legislature’s position as an independent and competent arm of government.
In her remarks at the Workshop, the Resident Representative of Konrad Adenaurer Stiftung , said the capacity building workshops are being organized ahead of the substantive task to be faced by the parliamentary staff at the commencement of the 10th National Assembly next year .
