By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega and two other academic dons are to explore issues around public expectations and perception of the National Assembly.
Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, inaugurated Attaihiru Jega led committee to that effect Tuesday, at the Maitama office of the Institute in Abuja.
The Committee according to Professor Sulaiman, is to carry out a study on issues around public expectations of the legislature in Nigeria and by extension, public perception.
“As the 9th National Assembly commences, it is important to understand what the public expect of their representatives.
“The Institute has therefore commissioned a study to explore the issues around public expectation of the legislature in Nigeria.
“The technical committee made up of academics of sound pedigree, is to amongst others, provide a comparative analysis of public expectations of legislature and best practices in integrating these into legislative work”, he said.
Other terms of reference for the committee expected to develop a draft memorandum for transmission to the National Assembly by January next year , are , conduct an in-depth study of public expectations of their elected representatives in the 9th Assembly and determine what the public consider as the most important role of legislators.
“Interrogate and analyse public expectation against the constitutional mandates and functions of the National and determine if public expectations align with those of legislators.
“Develop recommendations on how the 9th Assembly can integrate findings from the study and public opinion in the legislative agenda and processes of the National Assembly”.
The outcome of the study , the NILDS boss explained , is expected to feed into the legislative agenda of the 9th Assembly and hence ensure that Citizens’ input influences legislative decision – making.
In his remarks as Chairman of the technical committee , Professor Jega said the committee will carry out research – driven study that will produce value adding results for the Nation’s Democracy and in particular , responsive legislature.
The two other members of the technical committee are Peter Siyan and Samson Akpati Nzeribe .
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