EXECUTIVE- LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS: INTERROGATING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Executive-legislative relations are fundamental for the effectiveness of democratic governance. Several scholarly texts have dealt countless times with the study of executive-legislative relations and democratic governance. However, how executive-legislative relations have unfolded in democratic governance in Taraba State has received less academic attention. The objectives of the study are to examine how the relationship between executive and legislative arms of government impacted on democratic governance in Taraba State and assess the interplay of power relations between the executive and legislative arms of government in democratic governance. It is in this context that this study examined executive-legislative relations and democratic governance in Taraba State in to
contribute to the existing literature on executive-legislative relations in democracies. Using structural functionalism and descriptive qualitative research design, the study used structured interviews and focus group discussions with purposive sampling techniques to gather data from the interviewees. The study reveals that despite harmonious executive-legislative relations in Taraba State, the people have not benefited as expected from democratic governance. This harmony has resulted in the legislature becoming a "rubber stamp" institution, leading to the blind approval of funds and laws that undermine democratic governance. The executive is dominant in the relationship, and this power imbalance has allowed for arbitrary abuse of power without legislative checks.