DEEPENING DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: FOCUS ON LEGISLATURE-EXECUTIVE COLLABORATION

Separation of powers is a fundamental feature of federal democracies. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria like its predecessors separated the legislative, executive and judicial departments of government to avoid tyranny. The expectation of the constitution makers is for cooperation between the three arms of government. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, this paper specifically examines the relationship between the legislature and the executive under the 2015 to 2019- APC/Muhammad Buhari’s Presidency. The motivation for the - paper is that the relationship between the two arms of government impacts on democracy as a system of governance. It can facilitate and deepen democracy in which case the nation can benefit immensely. A frosty relationship between the two can however, lead to slow or even at times bad governance. The paper argues that the relationship can make or mar democracy. Thus, concern’ about it is, by extension, concern about democracy. The paper found that the legislature-executive relationship in Nigeria especially between the Presidency and the 8\" Senate of the National Assembly was frosty thereby hampering democracy and governance. The legislature and the executive have not collaborated enough to deepen democracy and maximize its | benefit. What is the value of democracy if would not translate to good governance and then to development? The paper suggests more collaborative working relationship between the legislature and the executive for a more vibrant democracy, good governance and development.