The Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, on Wednesday emphasised the need for a stable relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government as a key requirement for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
Senator Jibrin said this while delivering the guest lecture at the 15th Convocation Ceremony of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, where he spoke on the topic “Managing Executive–Legislative Relations towards Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.”
According to him, the strength of any democratic system is largely determined by the quality of interaction between the executive and the legislature, noting that poor management of this relationship often leads to governance paralysis, institutional conflict and democratic regression.
The Deputy Senate President cited the current atmosphere of cooperation between the executive and the National Assembly as an example of productive collaboration, attributing it partly to the President’s legislative background.
He said proposed bills are often discussed with National Assembly leadership before formal presentation, allowing for early identification and correction of potential issues.
Jibrin stressed that democratic consolidation thrives when oversight is constructive, evidence-based and guided by national interest, noting that oversight remains a core responsibility of legislators in ensuring adherence to the principles of checks and balances.
To deepen democratic consolidation, Jibrin advocated sustained institutional dialogue between the executive and legislature, strengthening legislative capacity through continuous training, prioritising constitutional provisions over partisan interests, and promoting civic and democratic education to enhance public accountability.
Addressing graduating students of Al-Hikmah University, the Deputy Senate President urged them to uphold democratic values, demand accountable governance and contribute intellectually and ethically to Nigeria’s democratic development.
