The Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly has made a firm appeal to state governors to adhere promptly to the constitutional provisions for the direct allocation of funds to state legislatures. In a released statement, the Speakers cautioned that the failure to uphold financial autonomy could result in a breakdown of governance and stressed the crucial relationship between legislative independence and effective governance.
The statement urged all state governors to promptly and completely adhere to Section 121(3) of the Constitution by facilitating the direct allocation of funds to the State Houses of Assembly. Emphasizing that compliance is not just a constitutional requirement but also a vital measure to fortify democracy and advance good governance.
Additionally, the Speakers declared their commitment to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Federal Government, and civil society organizations, to ensure the full enforcement of financial autonomy for state legislatures. They also pledged to heighten awareness and foster agreement on the significance of legislative independence, establishing a monitoring system to supervise the implementation of financial autonomy in states.
The Speakers acknowledged the necessity for further legal and institutional adjustments to reinforce the autonomy of state legislatures. They affirmed their dedication to upholding the Constitution and vowed to advocate for the complete implementation of Section 121(3) to safeguard the autonomy and independence of the legislative branch of government.
Chairman of the Conference, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, underlined the vital role of State Houses of Assembly in the current constitutional amendments, emphasizing their responsibility to deliberate on constitutional amendments or a new constitution, which must originate from the National Assembly.