Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has lamented that the Executive branch of government hardly and seldom reciprocate the gesture of cooperation extended by the National Assembly.
He said this happens at the time when the legislature tries to ensure smooth running of government for the delivery of dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.
Speaking while delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 16th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officer’s Conference, Africa Region, at ECOWAS Parliament Complex, Abuja, Mr Dogara said that this can only be achieved by first establishing networks and building coalition among the African legislatures, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan.
The speaker also urged legislatures across the African continent to break their people free from dictatorship by building strong institutions that will drive socio-economic development and lift the people out of poverty.
“The legislature as the first institution of democracy must sacrifice more in this endeavour even if the gesture is not often returned by the Executive,” he said.
Mr Dogara, maintained that Africa is in a hurry to develop and that such can only be achieved when strong institutions are build to replace weak ones that have been deliberately put in place by dictators to ensure that leaders remain stronger than the people.
The speaker who is also the Chairman, Africa Region of Commonwealth Speakers of Parliament and Presiding Officer’s, noted that Africa does not need strong men but strong institutions.
“Unfortunately, Africa has been home to strong men who paradoxically relished in building weak institutions to keep them stronger. Yet all of Africa’s problems; be they corruption, socio-political, economic etc, can only be solved by strong institutions.
“It is therefore the duty of parliaments across Africa to free our people from the shackles of strong men by ensuring that strong institutions replace the later thereby ending this pervasive curse on the African continent once and for all.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that our parliaments cannot achieve this onerous task without first establishing networks and building coalition. That is the main reason why we are assembled here today,” he said.
The Speaker further stated that for good governance to thrive in Africa, there must be cooperation and collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive for the smooth running of all government institutions in the race for development.
He argued that, the legislature as the first institution of democracy must make sacrifices in the interest of the people and support the executive to enable it deliver the people’s needs and aspirations, while at the same time, maintaining its independence.
He added that Africa is running a race to attain development and therefore, has little patience for intergovernmental rifts and called on the legislature and the executive branch of government to cooperate and deliberately provide a conducive atmosphere for the smooth running of all governmental institutions.
