Executive-Legislative Relations in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Leadership Dynamics and Institutional Conflicts During the Buhari Administration (2015-2023)

This study examines the dynamics of executive-legislative relations in Nigeria during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency (2015-2023), employing a mixed-methods research approach to analyze the complex interactions between these governmental branches. Through a comprehensive survey of 180 participants across various political and institutional sectors, the research investigates the factors influencing inter-branch relationships during two distinct National Assembly periods: the 8th (2015-2019) and 9th (2019-2023) Assemblies. The findings reveal a nuanced landscape of governance characterized by significant variations in leadership styles, institutional frameworks, and political dynamics. The study demonstrates that individual leadership approaches, particularly those of Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and Ahmad Lawan, substantially shaped executive-legislative interactions. President Buhari’s military-influenced leadership style emerged as a critical factor, with respondents identifying it as the most influential element in inter-branch relations. Utilising rational choice and institutional theories, the research illuminates how personal agency and structural constraints simultaneously influenced governance outcomes. The analysis highlights the shift from confrontational dynamics in the 8th Assembly to a more cooperative approach in the 9th Assembly, revealing the complex negotiation of power and collaboration within Nigeria’s presidential system. The study contributes crucial insights into democratic consolidation, emphasizing the importance of leadership development, institutional capacity building, and the delicate balance between legislative independence and executive cooperation in emerging democracies.