EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates executive-legislative relations and service delivery in the South-South zone of Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. Data were collected from a sample of 549 respondents comprising 165 executive and legislative officials and 384 electorates using a structured questionnaire and supported by focus group discussions involving 40 purposively selected individuals from six states in the region. The research questions and hypotheses were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean scores, frequency counts) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) to test the relationships between variables. Results shows that executive-legislative relations enhances service delivery. However, the relationship between the variables was found to be weak. Based on this finding, the study recommends that; executivelegislative relations should be effective for ensuring that service delivery meets the needs and growing demands of the population. There should also be improvement in coordination practice between the executive and legislative arms to enhance healthcare delivery in the region. Executivelegislative engagements should equally improve infrastructure development, which is crucial to regional integration and economic growth. To achieve better outcomes in service delivery, institutional reforms that strengthen intergovernmental cooperation are necessary and expedient.