EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS AND DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF RIVERS STATE, 2015 - 2025

This study investigated executive–legislative relations and democratic consolidation in Nigeria, with Rivers State serving as the case study. The analysis was anchored on Karl Marx’s political economy theory of 1859 as its theoretical framework. Primary data were obtained through 150 questionnaires and interviews, while secondary sources included scholarly journals, textbooks, and relevant articles. Data were analyzed using simple percentages for clarity and interpretation. The findings indicate that Nigeria’s Electoral Act regulates the conduct of elections, promotes inclusivity, and provides mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution. Nonetheless, the study identified persistent challenges such as political interference, electoral violence, voter intimidation, inadequate voter education, and widespread vote buying. These issues continue to undermine both democratic processes and effective executive–legislative relations in Rivers State and Nigeria more broadly. To address these challenges, the study suggests promoting broader civic participation, strengthening electoral dispute resolution systems, enhancing the autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and adopting technological innovations to improve voter registration, accreditation, and transmission of results. It further recommends that the federal government ensure transparent, non-partisan appointments to INEC to safeguard its independence from political influence, while collaborating with security agencies to develop comprehensive electoral security frameworks and investing in infrastructure to support electronic voting.