Featured, Politics
By Anayo Ezugwu
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has resolved to consolidate and deepen the existing partnership with the National Assembly for the good of the nation. He said the Principle of Separation of Powers, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, was designed for the arms of government to creatively and innovatively work together in a cooperative and a collaborative manner through meaningful and constructive engagements to bring about national development.
Speaking at a two-day joint executive-legislative leadership retreat, Buhari noted that there is only one government with all arms in their various capacities contributing positively towards the realization of shared goals and the purpose of government. He acknowledged the cordial and warm relationship the current administration and the 9th Assembly has enjoyed leading to the achievement of critical reform initiatives such as the timely and speedy passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill and confirmation of Presidential nominees by the National Assembly.
The president also emphasized the urgent need for aligning the 9-Point priority Agenda of the Executive and the Legislative Agendas of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to enhance synergy in government priorities areas. He acknowledged the importance and timeliness of the retreat as it provides a platform for sustainable dialogue, consultations, and collaborations at different levels.
At the end of the retreat, the participants recommended that there should be a concrete understanding and working knowledge of both the executive and legislature. “An effective confidence-building measure should be put in place in the governance process to ensure mutual respect and cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature.
“The creation of effective conflict management and resolution mechanism in resolving areas of disagreement between the Executive and Legislature in the overall national interest. Modalities for better access, interfacing, and engagement between the leaderships of both arms of government, the NASS Committees, and MDAs should be worked out by the SGF and NASS-Executive Liaison. There should be regular pre-budget consultations between the Executive and Legislature, particularly between the MDAs and NASS Committees, Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning and the appropriate Committee in NASS.
“There is a need for effective communication and collaborative engagement to enhance and strengthen the relationship between the arms of government for the benefit of Nigerians. The relationship should not be adversarial, but complementary, thus, more interpersonal and informal relationship between heads of MDAs and NASS members should be encouraged. Operators in the arms of the government should act with moderation and limit their sense of entitlement by placing public interest over and above personal and parochial interest.
“The Presidency should strengthen the capacity of the Executive Liaison Offices in the National Assembly. There is a need for an organic budget law that will optimize the budgetary process so as to deliver effective and efficient service to the citizens. The ruling political party should be encouraged to take ownership of its members to be able to reconcile them whenever conflict arises, and, members in both arms of government should show regard for the party and its leadership.”
– Oct. 7, 2020 @ 15:15 GMT |
Tags: FG to consolidate existing partnership with National Assembly – Buhari
