The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin has advocated for stronger collaboration between the executive and the legislature to strengthen the nations democratic institutions.
Senator Barau state this while delivering his convocation lecture titled “Managing Executive–Legislature Relations towards Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic,” examined the impact of inter-institutional relations on democratic stability since Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999 at the 15th convocation ceremony of Al-Hikmah University, in Ilorin,Kwara State .
According to him persistent friction between both arms of government will continues to weaken governance and erode public trust in democratic system .
Barau explained that Nigeria has recorded relative democratic endurance over the past two and a half decades.
He noted that the quality of governance has remained largely dependent on how effectively the executive and legislature manage constitutional boundaries and shared responsibilities.
The lawmaker said that democratic consolidation goes beyond the conduct of periodic elections and must include strict adherence to constitutionalism, separation of powers, accountability, and the rule of law.
He said early years of the Fourth Republic were characterised by intense confrontations between the Presidency and the National Assembly over leadership tussles, budgetary processes, impeachment threats, and oversight functions, developments which l reflected institutional weaknesses inherited from years of military rule .
The Senate leader identified executive dominance, weak legislative capacity, partisan rivalry, and personalisation of power as major drivers of such conflicts.
He emphasised that legislative oversight should not be viewed as hostility but as a constitutional responsibility aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
Barau maintained that budget delays in Nigeria often stem from deficits in trust and poor engagement rather than flaws in the 1999 Constitution, adding that effective governance requires timely dialogue and respect for institutional mandates.
He highlighted the role of political parties in shaping executive–legislature relations, cautioning that excessive executive control of party structures undermines legislative independence and weakens democracy.
Barau called for regular structured engagement between both arms of government, enhanced legislative capacity through research and institutional support, strict adherence to constitutional provisions, and improved civic education inorder to strengthen democratic governance,
He said the establishment of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund are reforms aimed at strengthening legislative effectiveness and reducing political tensions experienced in the early years of the Fourth Republic .
The lawmaker charged political leaders to place national interest above personal ambition, noting that ethical leadership remains central to Nigeria’s democratic future.
Barau advised the graduating students to uphold democratic values and contribute to accountable governance, describing democracy as a system sustained not only by institutions but by enlightened citizens.
In his address Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by his deputy,Mr Kayode Alabi said higher institutions must deliberately combine knowledge acquisition with moral and ethical training.
He said the institutions has continued to demonstrate that academic excellence and moral uprightness can coexist, describing the model as critical to addressing the country’s social and leadership challenges.
According to him, the steady growth of the institution, expansion of its academic programmes and the quality of graduates it produces reflect purposeful leadership and a clear educational vision.
For his part , the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Oladimeji Lateef , said the university has reviewed and increased staff salaries, alongside other welfare packages, as part of efforts to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
He explained that the move is aimed at boosting staff morale, improving productivity, and sustaining a stable academic environment.END
ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
