Corruption, lobbying by political mafias hindering effective lawmaking –Don

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

Aprofessor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Mashood Omotosho, has identified corruption and lobbying by political mafias as major obstacles to effective lawmaking by the legislature in the country.

He stated this when he delivered a lecture at a media symposium, organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

The symposium with the theme: ‘Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process’, also saw the senator representing Ogun West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, getting decorated as a Legislative Icon in Nigeria

Omotosho, who noted that the legislative arm of government has critical roles to play in ensuring the delivery of good governance, urged the legislators not to compromise their constitutional roles in stabilising democratic governance through law-making and promoting good governance despite the challenges.

He also cautioned that executive-legislative conflicts could strain relationships between the two arms of government, and hinder effective governance in the process.

“The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, such as lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals,” he stated.

The Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola at the event, declared that “the senator is one of the senators whose integrity has not been influenced by corrupt politicians, hence his achievement in Ogun West.

The convener of the symposium, Bolaji Adeniji, said: “We are here today to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to society. There has been a lot of backlash against the legislature as being in cahoots with the executive but we know that the legislatures are doing well and their roles cannot be underestimated.”