By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Veteran journalist and former Media Adviser to the President of the Ninth Senate, Ezrel Tabiowo has launched his book, The Nigerian Legislature: Understanding Its Impact on Democratic Governance and National Development, describing it as a major contribution to strengthening democratic governance and deepening public understanding of the legislature.
Speaking at the public presentation in Abuja on Monday, Tabiowo said he wrote the book because the Nigerian legislature remains one of the country’s most misunderstood democratic institutions.
He noted that while the legislature often dominates public discourse over controversies, leadership tussles, remuneration debates and allegations of misconduct, its constitutional responsibilities and contributions to governance receive far less attention.
“The legislature is frequently in the news, but rarely for reasons that illuminate its constitutional functions,” he said.
According to him, the book presents a balanced account of the National Assembly by documenting both its achievements and shortcomings.
Tabiowo explained that beyond political controversies, the legislature performs critical functions through committee oversight, budget scrutiny, investigations into public expenditure, constituency representation, constitutional amendments and lawmaking that shape Nigeria’s democratic development.
He disclosed that the research for the book spanned about five years and involved extensive study of constitutional provisions, legislative records, committee reports, judicial decisions and scholarly literature, complemented by his experience covering the National Assembly as a journalist.
“I do not believe a single book can transform an institution. Institutional reform takes decades. My hope is that this work contributes, however modestly, to strengthening the Nigerian legislature and improving public understanding of its role,” he said.
Tabiowo expressed appreciation to the distinguished personalities who contributed forewords and reviews to the publication despite being unable to attend because of official engagements.
Among them are Senator Ndoma-Egba, former Senate Leader, who is now the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti
He also thanked members of the National Assembly Press Corps, his colleagues in the Senate Press Corps and the West African Parliamentary Press Corps School for supporting his professional journey between 2010 and 2019.
The author acknowledged the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, represented at the event by the Director of Research and Information, Dr. Ali B. Umar, for supporting the programme.
Representing the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, Executive Director of the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis, Professor Zubairu Abdullahi Dagona, described the publication as a significant addition to the limited body of literature on the Nigerian legislature.
Reading the goodwill message of the NILDS Director-General, Dagona said the book would serve as an invaluable reference for legislators, legislative aides, parliamentary staff, policymakers, researchers and students of democratic governance.
He said the publication offers a comprehensive analysis of the legislature’s constitutional responsibilities, oversight functions, representation, lawmaking processes and institutional relationship with the executive and judiciary.
According to him, the book also advances recommendations for strengthening the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly while providing practical insights into legislative governance.
Suleiman recommended that the publication be incorporated into legislative studies curricula and used as a standard reference material for scholars and practitioners.
A major highlight of the event was the virtual review delivered by Senator Ita Solomon Enang, Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Germany and former Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters.
Unable to attend because of diplomatic duties, Enang described the publication as one of the most comprehensive studies on Nigeria’s legislature.
The event attracted lawmakers, academics, journalists, legislative aides, researchers and public policy experts.
The programme featured the official presentation of the book, goodwill messages and a virtual book review before guests proceeded to the public unveiling and sales of the publication.
