Abstract
Existence of a healthy balance is essential for consolidating democracy, promoting good governance, and ensuring the rule of law in Nigeria. However, the struggle between the executive power and legislative oversight has remained a fundamental challenge for Nigeria's Fourth Republic. This paper examines the intricate dynamics between executive bossiness and legislative oversight functions within Nigeria's Fourth Republic, analyzing its profound implications for effective governance and democratic consolidation. Relying on the secondary sources of data and qualitative analysis anchored on the abstractions of Separation of Powers theory, the paper posits that a delicate equilibrium between these branches is crucial for effective and democratic consolidation, yet this balance is consistently challenged by the executive's tendency to exceed constitutional boundaries. Executive bossiness, manifesting in disregard for court orders, unilateral decision-making, and suppression of dissent, undermines the foundational principles of accountability and transparency. This behaviour directly clashes with the legislature's mandated oversight, which includes budget scrutiny, investigations, and the confirmation of executive appointments. This fosters the assumption that Nigeria's political culture is characterized by a strong executive tradition, which often impedes effective legislative oversight. This paper argues that the institutional capacity of the legislature in Nigeria appear to be deliberately weakened by the executive to prevent robust oversight. The implications of this power struggle are far-reaching, encompassing increased corruption, eroded public trust, and weakened democratic institutions. The paper recommends that achieving effective governance and democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic requires a concerted effort to cultivate a political culture of accountability, respect for the rule of law, and a balanced distribution of power between the executive and legislature.