By Capt. Bishop C. Johnson
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the complexities of democratic consolidation, one recurring issue that continues to muddy public discourse is the role of the National Assembly in relation to the executive arm of government—particularly when both are controlled by the same political party.
It has become increasingly common to hear pundits, commentators, and even seasoned media professionals accuse the legislature of being a “rubber stamp” to the executive. While oversight is a vital function of the legislature, what is often misunderstood—and deliberately distorted in some cases—is the distinction between legislative checks and balances, and the role of political opposition.
There is no democracy in the world where the majority party in a legislature turns against its own executive as a matter of principle. Even in the United States, whose presidential system we have borrowed and domesticated, we have never seen such political contradiction. Despite his many controversies, Donald J. Trump’s Republican-led Congress largely stood by him—not because they were blind to his flaws, but because they understood that their party’s political survival and credibility were tied to the success of his administration.
In functional democracies, the legislature is an equal and separate arm of government, not an adversarial one—particularly when both arms are controlled by the same party. Its role is to provide oversight and scrutiny, not to serve as an opposition bloc to its own government.
Opposition, by its very definition, is the responsibility of parties outside the governing majority. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, opposition parties often exist only during elections. Once the results are announced and seats are allocated, many lawmakers from opposition parties swiftly align with the majority, not out of ideological conviction, but to secure personal benefits—committee chairmanships, access to executive largesse, and favorable treatment from legislative leadership.
It is therefore ironic when the same public that witnesses these political realignments turns around to label the legislature as submissive or ineffective. The question to ask is this: do we as a nation truly understand the role of the legislature within our system of governance?
Globally, political parties fight tooth and nail to win majorities in legislative houses—not just for prestige, but because control of the legislature is key to implementing their policy agenda. The concept of checks and balances was never intended to mean automatic hostility between branches of government. Rather, it is a mechanism for accountability—ensuring that policies, bills, and budgets are examined thoroughly, amended where necessary, and passed when found to be in the national interest.
In instances where executive proposals are sound, there is nothing undemocratic about the legislature approving them swiftly. Governance should not grind to a halt because of partisan posturing or performative opposition. Efficiency in government does not always equate to compromise or capitulation.
What we need is a politically literate public and a responsible media that can distinguish between effective legislative oversight and needless political antagonism. A strong legislature does not mean a legislature that obstructs for the sake of it. It means a legislature that is alert, responsible, and responsive—holding the executive to account without undermining governance.
The National Assembly is not meant to constitute itself into an opposition party. It is meant to serve the Nigerian people through collaboration, oversight, and, where necessary, principled resistance. Confusing these roles only weakens our democratic institutions and feeds the cycle of cynicism that continues to plague our politics.
About the Author:
Capt. Bishop C. Johnson (U.S. Army, Retired) is a political analyst, national security expert, and grassroots activist based in Egbema, Imo State. He writes on democracy, governance, and civil-military relations in Nigeria.
Email: b.chuck.johnson@gmail.com
Phone: 07016616629
