Legislative-Executive Relations in Nigeria's Fourth Republic Tobi Ariyo Andrew1,*, Adegbami Adeleke2 1Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Administration, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria 2Lecturer, Department of Public Administration, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria, adeleke.adegbami@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng *Corresponding author email id: tobi.ariyo@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Online published on 27 April, 2020. Abstract This study has focused on the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Nigeria with the view to ascertaining how the relationship has impacted on governance. This study has relied on secondary data obtained from textbooks, journals, newspapers and magazines. The findings show that Nigeria's presidential system of government assigns enormous powers to the executive and oversight functions to the legislature. Both arms of government in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities have often paid little attention to the separation of powers, a trend that explains the conflictual and antagonistic relations in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. The study further shows that the pattern of relationship between the legislature and the executive is a threat to Nigeria's quest for good governance. The strained relations between the legislature and executive have always paralysed the administrative machinery of the state and have created divisions among members of the legislature. It recommends that there is a need to build a cordial relationship between the legislature and executive without jeopardising the principles of separation of powers and the rule of law. Top Keywords Executive, Good governance, Impeachment, Legislature, National assembly, Rule of law, Separation of powers. Top |