Details

The State House of Assembly elections being concluded on 18th of March 2023, brought about a high turnover rate within the 36 state legislatures. The continuous replacement of significant members of a State House of Assembly after each general election cycle has serious implications for its ability to perform its role effectively. This leads to several capacity gaps in their legislative practice and procedures. Within the State Houses of Assembly, between 50-90% are new or first-time legislators who have no experience with the workings, expectations and mandates of the legislature. The parliament being a new terrain demands that the members-elect get an orientation to be able to perform their functions and duties effectively.

Amongst topics to be covered is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as Amended and the Concept of Separation of Power; Legislative Functions, Process, Power, Ethics and Privileges; Committees in the Legislature: Composition, Essence, Power of Oversight and Limitations in Budget Tracking; Legislative Agenda and Benchmarking the Activities of State Houses of Assembly; Parliamentary Protocol – Standing Orders, Motions, Debates, Resolutions; Introduction to Budget Processes; Legislative Code of Conduct and Ethics: A Bastion of Integrity and Good Leadership; Civil Society Organizations: Representation, Constituency Relations and Public Engagement in the Legislative Process; and a Mock Inauguration to prepare legislators as well as clerks for the inauguration of the new State House of Assembly.

The workshop is part of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s support towards sustaining democracy, good governance and the rule of law.