There’s executive disrespect for N/Assembly – Report

There has been executive disrespect for National Assembly’s authority on general oversight capacity as it relates to security sectorrelated committees, findings reveal.

This was contained in the report on Capacity Building and Interactive Needs Assessment with National Assembly Security Sector Related Committees carried out by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) with support from the UK Government.

Speaking on the findings at the weekend, former Nigerian Ambassador to Austria, Dr Jerry Ugokwe said when the results of the findings were interpreted; there were expressions of frustration of executive domination on security issues.

“On security oversight capacity, it was observed that the executive is not fully committed. There are scepticisms of political will of executive to allow for the lawmakers to have unfettered access to area such as security funding,” he said.

Chairman, Committee on Senate Defence, Senator Abu Kyari however said instead of disrespect, he would rather call it misunderstanding between the executive and the legislative.

“Sometimes when oversight is being carried out, it is viewed as already passing judgment before you carry out an investigation. In my sector, we have had cordial relationships with the sectors I work with,” he said.