Speakers of Houses of Assembly have hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for signing Executive Order No. 10, which seeks to facilitate the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislature and judiciary as enshrined in section 121 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
36 State Assembly Speakers … photo credit: Newsnow
But state governors have maintained silence on the presidential directive as the chairman of their forum, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, told reporters that no comment would be made until they meet over it.
“Governors have not met on the order, so we have no reaction,” he said in a text message yesterday.
The speakers, however, described it as an impetus to boost legislative performance and service delivery by state legislatures.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said the body was excited over the president’s order, adding that it was a Sallah gift to the legislators.
Obasa, who is also the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, told reporters: “No doubt, this order will further make state legislatures independent of the executive arm of their various governments.
“It would also boost healthy competitions among state legislatures in pursuit of advancements and developments.
“This is the best gift the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, has given the legislative arm of state governments at this Sallah. And coming at the end of the Ramadan, it means God truly answered the prayers of the members of state legislatures through the president.”
The president had last Friday signed the executive order, directing the Accountant-General of the Federation to give effect to the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution signed in 2018.
The order was a product of the outcome of the implementation committee on financial autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary set up by the president.
The committee had the mandate to ensure the implementation of the financial autonomy in line with section 121(3) of the constitution as amended.
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