By Ken Harries Esq
A nation’s executive and legislature are like two oars propelling the same canoe. If one oar pulls with force while the other drifts lazily, the canoe spins in circles. If both row in opposite directions, the vessel tilts dangerously, and progress stalls. But when the oars dip and pull in rhythm, the canoe glides forward with speed and stability.
This is the image that comes to mind when looking at the current relationship between Nigeria’s Executive led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Godswill Akpabio.
The synergy is clear for everyone to see. The tone is cooperative without being compliant. The result is a smoother flow of governance where policy initiatives move more quickly from conception to law, and oversight questions are handled in a way that seeks solutions rather than political theatre.
It is not perfection. One may even say it is not yet Uhuru. But it is an encouraging change from some turbulent chapters in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
● Lessons from the past
Nigeria’s democratic history is littered with bruising confrontations between the two arms of government under focus. In the early years of the Fourth Republic, the fierce battles between President Olusegun Obasanjo and Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba led to stalled bills and endless impeachment rumours and threats.
Similarly, the rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal froze legislative progress for months. The protracted cold shoulders between President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki meant that major budgets arrived late and key reforms stalled.
Those moments remind us that while confrontation can be a safeguard for democracy, unchecked hostility is costly for the advancement and stability of the nation. The economy slows. Investor confidence dips. Ordinary citizens wait longer for essential services. This is why the present collaborative climate, if maintained, could be one of the most significant enablers of national stability, growth and opportunities.
● Cooperation without capitulation
To be clear, cooperation today does not mean the National Assembly has become a rubber stamp to the Executive. Recent sessions have shown lawmakers asking hard questions. The Senate’s grilling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on the use of savings from the removal of fuel subsidy was both firm and focused.
Additionally, the House of Representatives’ probe into electricity tariff hikes forced the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to explain policies in plain terms. The Akpabio-led Senate summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria to defend its measures on foreign exchange stability and new bank charges.
Furthermore, it should be noted that there have also been pushbacks. Certain budgetary proposals from the Executive had been revised after legislative scrutiny. The National Assembly resisted attempts to rush through the passage of sensitive loan requests without proper documentation. The Aviation Ministry faced tough questioning over delays in airport concession agreements. Even agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Communications Commission have been compelled to submit overdue reports.
Such moments show that a cordial relationship does not erase the Legislature’s constitutional duty to check excesses. Instead, it channels disagreements into productive dialogue rather than destructive stalemate.
● Shared goals, national gains
It goes without saying that when the Executive and Legislature work in concert, the delivery of democracy dividends becomes more achievable. Policy implementation is faster be…
