Legislature, Executive Rift Normal – Presidency

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By; SUNDAY ODE, Abuja
The Presidency said on Thursday  that disagreement between the Legislature and the Executive arms of government  in a democracy was normal and should not be misinterpreted as a fight.
Speaking to State House Correspondents, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, explained that the two arms were both working together for the benefit of the people.
Enang stated that what was being perceived as tension between the Legislature and the Executive was just the exercise of checks and balances needed to strengthen democracy
He said: “I am here to confirm to you that the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature is very cordial, constitutional, and in all manners, usual.
“The relationship between the President and the Senate President is perfect and very cordial, personal and official.
“You have seen at many times the President of the Senate and even the Speaker of the House of Representatives coming to have personal interactions and briefing the President of the affairs of the legislature and other functions of the state.
“It appears that because of some incidences on the screening of some nominees, people think there are tensions. But let me assure you that there was no tension.”
He further explained that it is only that the constitution required that when the President made a nomination to the legislature, the legislature was to screen, consider and approve as thought fit.
According to him,  if the legislature had reason to have reservations, there was always consultation and  it will make its opinion known to the Executive by way of appropriate communication.
He asserted that even if it appeared in the past that there were tensions, the actions of this week ,the consultations between the President and the leaders of the National Assembly had doused all that.
He said the intervention of the National Working Committee of the APC led by the National chairman had again completely put the question of tension or discord at rest and that too had further brought down what had appeared to be tension.
“In all the issues that have arisen, no question is raised by the Legislature against the action of the President. It shows that in all manners, the President has not done anything that will make the legislature to call him to question.
“At anytime you will find the Legislature hands in gloves with the Executive without the Executive raising questions or the Legislature asking questions, then the public should be worried.
“That is why we have separation of powers. Each of them should check each other. When these checks arise, that is when the public feels there is tension. There is absolutely no tension.
“In setting up a committee led by the Vice President, the President felt that if there is any semblance of disagreement, it should be addressed. This shows that this government is very responsive. It is a welcome development,” he said.

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