The Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Abubakar Sulaiman believes the absence of a strong legislature will weaken the quality of democracy in Nigeria.
Sulaiman, at the end of a two-day workshop organised for members of the Abia State House of Assembly said the quality of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the nature of the legislative arm of government, adding that a weak legislature will ultimately become a “rubber stamp” of the executive arm of government; and without the required institutional capacity it will not be able to check the excesses of the executive as prescribed by the Constitution.
He explained that the series of training programmes organized by Konrad Adenueur Foundation and his National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies are aimed at closing capacity gaps limiting the performance of the legislature.
Also Read: Group to occupy Assemblies in Northern Nigeria, until govt. address insecurity challenge
Sulaiman said while appreciable progress has been made at the National level, state Houses of Assembly continue to confront challenges including a lack of financial autonomy which he said will leave state legislatures as puppets in the hands of powerful State Governors.
He highlighted the need to implement the 4th Alteration of the 1999 Constitution that guarantees full autonomy to state Houses of Assembly.
Editor-Oloyede Oworu
