UCHE OKORONKWO UCHE offers mid-term assessment of the upper house of the National Assembly
In a manner of expression and to underscore the power of relationship, or symbiotic interaction, there is a saying that the life of water is the life of fish. Similarly, many governance commentators hold the view that the presence of democracy is signified by the presence of legislature. This underscores the consensus that the legislature is the most distinguishing feature of a democracy or democratic government. In other words, the presence of legislature is the presence of democracy and the absence of a parliament is the absence of democracy. It’s probably in this sense that philosophers view the legislature as a foundational institution of democracy, essential for people representation, executive power control and upholding the rule of law.
Although scholars and philosophers perspectives varied on the relevance of the legislature, there is a consensus gentium on the idea that the legitimacy and stability of democratic government depend on a legislative body which the popular expectation and will into law while also upholding principles of justice and freedom.