In a decisive move to deepen legislative accountability and strengthen governance, the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA) has announced plans to institutionalize Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) as a core part of its lawmaking process.

With this step, Delta becomes the second state in Nigeria—and the first in the South-South region—to formally adopt the democratic innovation after Oyo State.

Speaking in Asaba during a one-day workshop organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) on Thursday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dennis Guwor, said the initiative is vital for any legislature committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

“For any legislature that is serious about accountability, transparency, and good governance, Post-Legislative Scrutiny is not optional—it is essential,” Guwor said.

He explained that the legislative process does not end with the passage of bills, stressing the importance of monitoring how laws are implemented and whether they deliver on their intended purpose.

“As legislators, our constitutional responsibility does not end with the passage of bills. We must ensure that the laws we enact serve the people’s interests, remain relevant, and are properly implemented by the executive,” he stated.

Guwor added that the 8th Delta Assembly will not merely follow Oyo’s example but will aim to set a national benchmark for evidence-based governance at the subnational level.

WFD Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Adeboeale Olorunmola, commended the Delta Assembly for embracing the reform, describing it as “a critical milestone in deepening democratic accountability at the subnational level.”

“By equipping lawmakers and staff with the skills to conduct Post-Legislative Scrutiny, we are helping to ensure that laws are not just passed but that they deliver real results for citizens,” Olorunmola said.

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), pioneered Nigeria’s first dedicated PLS Unit at the Oyo State House of Assembly, which has since become a model for other states.

Post-Legislative Scrutiny serves as a key democratic mechanism for evaluating whether laws achieve their intended goals after passage. It strengthens legislative oversight by ensuring that enacted laws translate into measurable impact and that executive agencies remain accountable during implementation.