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**Title: Clarifying the role of the national assembly for transparent governance**
In a country where governance is a major issue, persistent confusion over the role of the national assembly seems to hinder the effective implementation of development policies and projects. A recent controversy surrounding the Senate’s alleged “stuffing” of the 2024 budget proposal once again raises the need for a better understanding of legislative functions.
According to constitutionalist Akintola, the national assembly does not have the power to execute projects, this responsibility rests with the executive. The observation is clear: voters’ ignorance of this fundamental distinction has opened the way to bad political-financial practice, where requests for popular largesse are confused with parliamentary prerogatives.
Beyond the sterile debates on “filling”, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of in-depth civic education for voters. They must understand that their role is not limited to demanding favors from their representatives, but to demand accountability and ensure that budgets are correctly implemented.
Budget appropriation is not a fixed matter, it falls within the parliamentary domain which has the power to modify the amounts allocated by the executive. It is therefore essential that citizens understand this process and demand transparent management of public funds from representatives.
Rather than giving in to political controversy, it is essential to promote constructive debate around responsible governance. Only an open and informed dialogue between the different institutions and citizens can guarantee efficient use of resources and progress towards a transparent and effective governance model.
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In this revisited article, I have emphasized the need to dispel misunderstandings surrounding the respective roles of the national assembly and the executive to promote more transparent and accountable governance. I also emphasized the importance of civic education for voters so that they can play a more active role in overseeing public policy.