EXPLORING THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATURE CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to explore the factors contributing to the conflicts between the Legislature and Executive branches using Nigeria as a case between1999-2015. This is because Nigerians across social strata lament over the huge cost of this conflict in the polity. Throughout the history of the Nigerian Government, public officials, political practitioners, journalists, scholars, and other observers have commented on legislative-executive relations, their variation, and their underlying causes and consequences. A wide variety of viewpoints has been expressed, about both conflict and cooperation, whether one or the other dominates, and whether benefits or liabilities result from either. Some, for instance, see conflict between the executive and legislature as a necessary and beneficial precondition to limiting and controlling government. Yet others view it as contributing to gridlock over major public policy decisions, thus, making government ineffective.  This paper is part of the debate. The data for this study were generated from Focus Group Discussion and documentary sources. Information generated was analyzed using tables and the technique of content analysis. Conclusions arrived after analyses include budgetary and constituency project issues are the major casual factors