By Lanre Oloyede
Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria have called on State governors to immediately and fully comply with the provisions of Section 121(3) of the Constitution by allowing for the direct disbursement of funds to the State Houses of Assembly.
This was part of the resolutions reached at a special session convened by the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria put together by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, PERL, and Engaged Citizens Pillar, ECP, on Wednesday 28th August. 2024 to deliberate on the critical issue of financial autonomy for State Legislatures as enshrined in the 1999 (as amended).
In a communique issued at the end of the session, the lawmakers maintained that the provision mandates the financial independence of State Houses of Assembly, ensuring that funds allocated to the legislature are disbursed directly to them, free from the control of the Executive arm of government.
According to the lawmakers, this compliance is not only a constitutional obligation but a necessary step towards strengthening the nation’s democracy and promoting good governance.
Delivering his keynote address, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly and Chairman Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, noted that the reflection session was put together to evaluate and review, assess and analyse as well as enhance and foster more collaboration among members and stakeholders for sustained positive impacts and results.
Other resolutions reached at the session included Engagement with Relevant Stakeholders including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Federal Government, and civil society organizabons, to ensure the full implementation of financial autonomy for State Legisiatures, Establishment of Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism to track the implementation of financial autonomy across the states.
Others are Advocacy for Legal and institutional Reforms to reinforce the autonomy of State Legislatures and Commitment to Upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
