The immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and two other academics are to explore issues around public expectations and perception of the National Assembly.
The director-general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, inaugurated Attaihiru Jega-led committee Tuesday, at the Maitama office of the Institute in Abuja.
The committee, according to Prof. 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, were; 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.”
In his remarks, Jega said the committee would carry out research-driven study that “will produce value-adding results for the nation’s democracy and in particular responsive legislature.”