Crisis and Crisis Management in the Legislature: the Rivers State House of Assembly Experience, 2011 - 2015

Abstract

The legislature is an assemblage of the representatives of the people, elected under a legal framework to make laws for the good governance of the State. The Legislature like every other institution of the State hardly functions without crisis. Crisis is a change, which may be sudden or which may take some time to evolve, that results in an urgent problem that must be addressed immediately. Although crisis events are unpredictable, they are not always unexpected. Crisis management is the process of identifying a potential issue or crisis and coordinating organisational or inter-organisational response as necessary to resolve the crisis. The methodology for this study is qualitative, using documentary evidence and the ex-post-facto research design in terms of reviewing necessary literature. The scope of this study is the Rivers State House of Assembly, 2011-2015. Furthermore, we utilized the Frustration – Aggression Theory (F- A) as a framework of analysis. The study revealed two paradigms in the crisis that engulf the Rivers State House of Assembly in the period under review. The study recommends full autonomy of the Legislature, respect for rule of law and House Rules, continuous training, reorientation of Members and Staff, making parliamentary offices as part - time and less attractive as well as institutional strengthening as the prospects for political stability in the Legislature.