Exercise Your Mandate in a Way that Will Avoid Friction, Buhari Tells N’Assembly
Udora Orizu in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the legislative arm of government to be reminded of its mandate and the exercise thereof, to all Nigerians, so as to avoid the frictions always associated with some interpretation.
Buhari stated this, Monday in Abuja while delivering his address at the maiden distinguished parliamentarians lecture 2021 organized by National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the President said the lecture themed ‘the Legislature, Legislative Mandate and the People, the Reality and the Public Perception’ is very apt as he hopes that it will present an opportunity to the legislature to remind itself of its mandate and the exercise thereof, to all Nigerians, so as to avoid the frictions always associated with some interpretation.
According to him, the executive-legislature relationships have come into focus especially, as it concerns the exercise of powers enshrined in the Constitution and the practice of checks and balances.
He noted that Nigeria’s Presidential democracy which dates back to 1979, though interrupted between 1984-1999, has experienced successful transitions from one administration to the other.
He also noted that it’s commendable that it had also witnessed a smooth handover from an incumbent to the opposition party.
This, the President said, underscores the extent to which stakeholders have demonstrated their willingness to embrace the rudiments of a Presidential system of government while operating the Constitution.
He however admitted that democracy had similarly been confronted by several challenges, some novel, that required hitherto unanticipated solutions while others, though familiar, required adaptation to meet prevailing circumstances.
He assured that the Executive arm of government shall continue to build on the existing good working relationship with the Legislature to ensure that the interest of every Nigerian was advanced and public good delivered.
Buhari said, “Distinguished Senators and Honorable Members, the theme for the 2021 lecture ”The Legislature, Legislative Mandate and the People, the Reality and the Public Perception“ is very apt and I hope that it will present an opportunity to the legislature to remind itself of its mandate and the exercise thereof, to all Nigerians, so as to avoid the frictions always associated with some interpretation. Lately, Nigerians have also called for the review of the 1999 Constitution. While I am aware that the National Assembly is engaged in that process, the introduction of the Distinguished Partiamentarians Lecture offers a veritable platform to enunciate outcomes of research, comparative analysis, best practices, practical reasoning and policy implications of the choices available to us in our quest to enthrone good governance.
“Globally, the COVlD-19 pandemic has tested the fabrics of more established democracies around the world. There is no doubt that our system was also impacted especially when sub-national entities were allowed to determine whether or not to join others in enforcing control measures against the spread of the virus. It is on this important note that I wish to commend the leadership and members of the 9th National Assembly for their immense contribution to the promotion of democracy and good governance in Nigeria. It remains a statement of fact that the legislature is the embodiment of the doctrine of popular sovereignty, which recognizes that the people are the source of all political power. I therefore charge the National Assembly and the institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies to ensure that outcome is well documented and circulated. l similarly charge you to ensure that this lecture series is sustained and targeted at addressing key national and constitutional issues in a manner that would strengthen our democracy, eliminate grey areas and enthrone best practices.”
In his welcome remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila opined that democracy thrives when competing views and opposing visions of the future can be freely espoused, assessed and critiqued in the marketplace of ideas so that only those positions that can withstand critical analysis become policy and law.
He said the lecture series is in furtherance of the shared commitment of the 9th National Assembly and the institute to expand the civic space and enlarge the marketplace of ideas where citizens can engage constructively to find solutions that will shape our nation’s future.
Gbajabiamila said, “This lecture series is an initiative of parliament and a platform to tell our own stories. It is also an opportunity for us to engage the Nigerian people so that they can better understand the role of parliament, be more aware of the challenges of parliamentary democracy and informed of the roles we each have to play to achieve a nation that reflects our best talents and enables the fulfilment of our highest ambitions. It is a tall order. Yet, I am confident that the 9th Senate and House of Representatives, working with NILDS, will achieve the goals we have set for ourselves in this regard.”
Earlier, in his remarks NILDS Director General, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman said the lecture series was initiated by the National Assembly as a bi-annual event to broaden legislative experience by bringing together eminent speakers to share knowledge and encourage thought-provoking conversations on issues of national importance, especially those having relevance to the legislature.
The DG while commending the leadership of the National Assembly for continuously supporting the Institute towards achieving its mandates, said the institute intends to sustain the lecture series and bring parliamentarians, both serving and former, from Nigeria and beyond to share critical experiences and insights on how emerging legislatures can better adapt and respond to the myriad of political and socio-economic challenges of developing economies in a globalized world.
