Executive Presidency and Institutional Manipulation in a Multi-level Representative Government

Executive Presidency and Institutional Manipulation in a Multi-level

Abstract

Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution enjoins a democratic federal system with separation of powers that transcend branches of government 
to delineation of the functional boundaries of the thirty-six states, each being microcosm of the federal structure. It embraces 
executive presidency with extensive and far-reaching discretionary powers, a bicameral national legislature and a unicameral 
subnational assembly and the rule of law to guard against encroachment and impunity. Inter-institutional and inter-governmental 
relations have had both “stabilizing and conflictual elements”. The entrenchment of vertical and horizontal separation of powers 
has nor-enhance unfetter measure of autonomous operational authority and systemic efficacy. Jettisoning the preceding egotripping authoritarian leadership styles for viable governing institutions synonymous with civil rule to thrive has been daunting. 
Formal and informal rules shaped the leadership style of successive Presidents, manipulation of executive instruments undermined 
institutional viability and asymmetric advantage over fiscal policies and security; occasionally deployed arbitrarily to political ends 
constitute impediments to effective representative governance. This article interrogates Nigeria’s fourth republic, 1999-2015, to 
underscore the “demos-constraining” potentials of executive presidency amidst weak institutions. The militarisation of 
impeachment campaigns affirms the fundamental flaws in strong unrestrained political executive. Successive presidency was 
fingered in virtually all controversial legislative-executive relations that halted governance in most States. The presidency played 
promient roles in producing and removing the leadership of the national legislature and executive bodies like the Economic and 
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spearheaded flawed impeachments. The police siege on the National Assembly following the 
defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the ruling party to the opposition was the height of partisan 
disposition of executive instruments. The constitutional breach calls for the review of the devolution of powers, renewed 
commitment to the strengthening of institutions and the rule of law for effective checks and balances and enduring representative 
governance