Executive, Legislature relationship cordial – Enang

Presidential aide on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, has said that the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the government is cordial in spite the seeming strain between them.
Enang, who stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said the two arms were working together for the benefit of the people.

He said that the disagreement between the Presidency and the National Assembly was normal and should not be misinterpreted.

According to him, what seems to be like tension between the Legislature and the Executive is just the exercise of checks and balances needed to strengthen democracy.

“I am here to confirm to you that the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature is very perfect, cordial, constitutional, and in all manners, usual.

The relationship between the President and the Senate President is perfect and cordial, personal and official.
“You have seen at many times the President of the Senate and even the Speaker of the House of Representatives coming to have personal interactions and briefing the President of the affairs of the legislature and other functions of the state.

“It appears that because of some incidences on the question of the screening of some nominees, people think there are tensions. But let me assure you that there is no tension.

“It is only that the constitution requires that when the President makes a nomination to the legislature, the legislature is to screen, consider and approve as thought fit. If the legislature has reason to have reservations, there is always consultation.

“It will make its opinion known to the Executive by way of appropriate communication.’’
Enang noted that the intervention of the National Working Committee of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its National chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, had put the question of tension or discord between the two arms at rest.

He said the committee set up by President Buhari to look into the relationship between the legislature and executive was to ensure smooth and cordial relationship between the two arms of government.