Faisal Salisu DambattaIn a significant effort to enhance legislative accountability and improve governance, the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA) has revealed its intention to institutionalize Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) as an integral component of its lawmaking process.
With this initiative, Delta becomes the second state in Nigeria—and the first in the South-South region—to officially embrace this democratic innovation following Oyo State.
During a one-day workshop organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in Asaba on Thursday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dennis Guwor, emphasized that this initiative is crucial for any legislature dedicated to transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
“For any legislature that is genuinely committed to accountability, transparency, and good governance, Post-Legislative Scrutiny is not merely an option—it is a necessity,” Guwor stated.
He elaborated that the legislative process does not conclude with the enactment of bills, highlighting the significance of overseeing how laws are executed and whether they fulfill their intended objectives.
“As legislators, our constitutional duty does not cease with the passage of bills. We must guarantee that the laws we create serve the interests of the people, remain pertinent, and are effectively implemented by the executive,” he remarked.
Guwor stated that the 8th Delta Assembly will not simply replicate Oyo’s approach but will strive to establish a national standard for evidence-based governance at the subnational level.
Mr. Adeboeale Olorunmola, the WFD Country Director in Nigeria, praised the Delta Assembly for adopting the reform, calling it “a significant milestone in enhancing democratic accountability at the subnational level.”
“By providing lawmakers and staff with the necessary skills to perform Post-Legislative Scrutiny, we are ensuring that laws are not only enacted but also yield tangible benefits for citizens,” Olorunmola remarked.
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, in partnership with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), initiated Nigeria’s first dedicated PLS Unit at the Oyo State House of Assembly, which has since served as a model for other states.
Post-Legislative Scrutiny acts as a vital democratic tool for assessing whether laws fulfill their intended objectives after enactment. It enhances legislative oversight by guaranteeing that passed laws result in measurable outcomes and that executive agencies are held accountable during the implementation process.
