Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters-Senate in this interview takes a look at the relationship between the Executive and legislature and how he handle matters that affects the citizenry.
Q: The relationship between the legislature and the executive has always been characterized by mutual acrimony and muscle flexing, how has it been these past two years since you became the presidential adviser on Senate matters?
Ans: I will not say that every thing is perfect. But at the beginning of this democracy, there was turbulence between the legislature and the executive. They were yet to understand themselves, and the public was yet to understand and appreciate the role of the legislature.
As democracy became practiced, many sections of the constitution which were subject for interpretation were gradually being interpreted and both arms of government began to know their places in the constitution and their roles were defined. This ultimately created a mutual respect between them, each arm allowing the other to do his constitutional duties.
Sometimes, when the legislature ask questions, some members of the public interpret it to mean that there is a dispute or a quarrel between the executive and the legislature.
But it is the job of the legislature to ask questions to the executive. When the executive send bills which are not agreed to by the legislature, the public misunderstands it to be that there is dispute.
It is the duty of the executive to send bills of executive nature, and it is also the duty of the legislature to consider it and pass, amend or reject it where necessary.
But when this function is done one way or the other, the public think there is something wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong.
Q:There have been instances where some members of the executive or the legislature make antagonistic utterances against each other regarding their activities. This often generate quarrels or magnify existing misunderstanding between both parties.
Ans: For example, an official of the executive arm of government recently accused the National Assembly of being a stumbling block to the government's anti-corruption war and the lawmakers didn't take kindly to that comment?
Well, when there are such issues raised, it means that as a presidential liaison officer to the Senate, l have to be at my best in handling the altercations that may have arisen from such exchange. I really have to be at my best in my job, making sure that both parties understand the limit of their freedom of speech.
And secondly, that both parties understand the functions of the legislature. And three, l try to make sure that whatever they disagree on are sorted out within the confines of dialogue.
And four, that the public and any person is free to hold opinion on the legislature or about any person, and it is for it to become matters of discuss.
Q: In specific terms, what will you say were those factors that often cause disagreements between the legislature and the executive that are no more in existence since you came on board as presidential adviser on senate matters, two years ago?
Ans: Well at the early period, the problems have always been the none release of money by the executive to the legislature, but monies are released at first line charge to the legislature on the amendment of the constitution. The other matter that also cause rift between them, is the selective implementation of the budget.
Now, that is no more happening because most of these things are discussed and agreed at the highest levels before it is done. And if a budget is done, it will be implemented. The legislature will be made to understand that there is a revenue shortfall.
Other matters that used to cause rift is the failure of the officers of the executive to respond to invitations and requests by the legislature for information or the requests by the legislature that the executive answer questions before the relevant committee of the legislature on matters relating to the functions of their office.
That is no more happening. The other one that used to cause rift also is what is suspected to be compromising demands, but that didn't happen in the past two years and it is now no more happening. When all these have been eliminated, the areas of friction are no more there and it is reduced.
Q: At the inception of this APC government, a lot of people thought that with the military background of President Muhammadu Buhari and also considering the kind of relationship that existed between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the legislators, that we are going to witness a continuation of that cat and mouse relations under Buhari. How have you been able to ensure that president Buhari does not trample on the lawmakers in a military characteristics. We seem not be having that kind of scenario in Mr President's case?
Ans: We can't have that kind of relationship between the executive and the legislature because President Buhari is well imbued in democratic ethos. He swore to defend the constitution; always telling the nation the truth of how he governs the nation.
Whatever he has for the country in terms of budgets, he lays them before the National Assembly and nothing else happens. And every time, he tells you the whole truth and the right things.
If there is any invitation extended to any officer of the executive by the legislature, president Buhari would tell such executive official to go and answer what he or she knows about it or what the person has done. Therefore you are not likely to have the kind of situation you had under former president Obasanjo.
And there were constitutional issues which have contributed in some of those rifts that occurred in the past which the court interventions have been able to resolve.
Q: To what extent has your personal advise as a Special Adviser helped Mr President in understanding the right things to do in other to strengthen the relationship between his executive and the legislature?
Ans: Through constant liaison with the legislature and through constant briefing of the president. And when we brief him (President), he knows the aspect of what is happening and then he will consult with the speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President. President Buhari has made himself accessible to us which has tremendously improved our work.
Part of what has caused the rifts in the past between the presidency and the legislative officials is this lack of access to the president himself. But now you can request to see the president by writing a letter which will be immediately taken to the chief of protocol so that you can be scheduled to see him.
Q: Between the current eight Senate and the Seventh Senate in which you served as a lawmaker and particularly senate committee chairman on rules and business for that matter, what were the noticeable differences in the area of parliamentary operations?
Ans: I think the liaison now is more concentrated on bills on political matters. Liaison now is more on the issues and substances not rumors. And liaison is now more on matters anticipated and matters arising and not on matters after it has billed.
Liaison now doesn't carry rumor or seek to blackmail. Liaison now seek to tell the truth because the person who commissioned you knows the truth and the people knows that there is bound to be areas of friction. That's the differences.
Q: Recently, you were under attacks by some people who claimed that you said that the 2017 budget will not be assented to by the acting president. What actually did you tell Channels Tv in that interview?
Ans: What l said and what l say, is that president Muhammadu Buhari has transmitted his proceeding on medical vacation to the National Assembly under the appropriate sections of the constitution and that Vice President Yemi Osibanjo is the acting president for all intents and purposes under the constitution.
And he (Osibanjo) exercises all the powers of the president vested in this section of the law including power to assent bills.
In the last time Mr President proceeded on vacation, he transmitted power to the acting president and with that transmittal, there were bills that were pending which were transmitted to the president by the National Assembly before he proceeded on vacation. It now behoves on Prof Yemi Osibanjo as acting president then to assent to those bills and he indeed assented to those bills.
Those ones that he felt were having constitutional problems, he withheld assent and forwarded them back to the National Assembly and so also in this case.
This is not the first time power is transmitted and transmitting power is for all intents and purposes, includes powers to assent to bills. So l should not be understood to say that power to assent to bills should have to wait until President Buhari resumes work.
Acting president Osibanjo has the power to assent to bills as he has done earlier. He has also been doing so since president Buhari was away on medical vacation.
Q: Drawing from your experience as a lawyer and a long term parliamentarian, what are the powers of an acting president especially as it relates to the day-to-day running of a government?
Ans: The powers of a president or an acting president is absolutely and totally the powers exercisable by the president. It has no reservation and it holds nothing back. But it does not detract from the fact that the substantive president is still the president, but somebody is acting in that capacity, having transmitted power to him.
Therefore l think that controversies as this should not have even arisen. It does appear, that there are some persons who are bent on causing disaffection or who are behind some misinformation by making inflammatory utterances capable of creating unnecessary ill-feelings or disaffection within the government.
Q: In the past two years, what are the initiatives you have come up with to further smoothen understanding and cooperation between the executive and the legislature as a presidential adviser on National Assembly matters?
Ans: What l have done is to first of all make sure that an issue does not linger before both sides meet and sort out the issues.
An issue which is simply a misunderstanding is usually nipped in the bud by me simply by taking words from one to the other in a mediatory manner. I try to be on top of the issue particularly if it is a rumor so that it doesn't assume reality.
And the other things l have done is to maintain very close relationship between the leadership of the senate and my self and try to maintain very personal relationship between the distinguished senators and my self and even the management of the National Assembly and the management of the senate.
If there are matters arising in the cause on this relationship between the executive and the legislature, that cordiality that exists between me and the lawmakers would be deployed in resolving the contending issues.
I also make sure that the officers and members of the presidency did not misunderstand the functions of the legislature and the leadership of the senate.
At the beginning, it was tough because of the turbulent take off, but having stabilized now, all sides understands the issues and what their roles should be.
Q: The 2017 budget is yet to be assented to by the Acting president, how soon will this be done because Nigerians are highly expectant?
Ans: The budget is still being considered by the acting president and very soon it will be signed by him. But don't forget that the constitution provides that when a bill is transmitted to the president after being passed by the legislature, it has thirty days within which the president signifies assent or withholds assent.
A bill received, has a process, it has a standard procedure which must be fulfilled before the bill is even considered by the president. So it is the compliance with that that will determine the duration within the time limited by law.
Q: Would you say that you have met those agenda, those aspirations that you set for yourself when you assumed duty as presidential adviser on legislative affairs?
Ans: I believe l have met and surpassed the agenda. The greatest of that agenda was to maintain a very close and open relationship between the executive and the legislature.
The other one was that bills that come out of the legislature must be legislatively sound.
And bills that go out from the legislature to the president should have my input in the consideration of that bill especially during public hearings, second readings and during interactions with the sponsors of those bills. Therefore l believe l have met and surpassed my agenda.
Q: Now, what's your projections in the remaining two years of this administration's tenure as far as legislative affairs and interface are concerned?
Ans: My projections is to keep maintaining and improving the relationship between the executive branch of government and the legislature. I intend to ensure that the president Buhari-led government is seen as one.
Above all, l want to ensure that this government promotes the rule of law. I also want to see that my period here witnessed the passage of largest number of bills passed.
Q: What would you say is the cardinal legacy you have left as presidential liaison on National Assembly matters in this past two years?
Ans: The cardinal legacy l have left is concentrating on legislation and improving relationship between the arms of government and not allowing it to break down.
I'm sure you are aware of the tension that was caused during the election of the principal officers of the National Assembly. This tension was because of the amendment of the senate rules.
You are also aware of the problems arising from the missing budget. In all these cases, l have ensured that all these issues were amicably resolved.
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