Autonomy For States’ Legislature: SW Lawmakers Resolve To Lobby Governors

By Ayodele Oni

Rising from their meeting in Ekiti state, Speakers and Principal Officers in the House of Assembly across the Southwest region have resolved to lobby the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF) to work out a full autonomy regime for states legislature in the country.

This was part of the resolutions in a communiqué issued over the weekend by the presiding officers during a capacity development retreat for Speakers and Principal Officers of state assemblies in the Southwest region, held at Ikogosi Ekiti.

“We recognize the necessity of engaging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to advocate for the legislative autonomy of our State Houses of Assembly. That legislative autonomy is crucial to the ability of the legislature to enhance democratic governance in our states.”

Emphasizing the need for a virile legislature that is people-driven, consensus-oriented, and equipped with the requisite knowledge, the regional gathering said the fund management laws of state parliaments in the region would be updated in line with the 5th alteration of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, to ensure fiscal transparency and responsibility.

To also keep pace with global technological advancements, the lawmakers resolved to adopt the E-parliament system and processes to further ensure transparency and enhance proficiency.

This new push stemmed from the pace set by the Ekiti State House of Assembly, which recently received a Federal Government award as the best state assembly in the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

In the communique, signed by the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Southwest Zone, Adeoye Aribasoye, the Southwest state lawmakers expressed commitment to actively participate in the ongoing constitutional amendment.

“We further commit to reviewing the recently amended constitutional provisions to ensure their effective domestication and application in our states.”

To make legislative actions reflect the diverse expectations of constituents, the communique highlighted assurances that constituency engagements would be strengthened.

Other resolution include more media and civil society relations, constituency feedback, increased capacity building, and updating the Southwest harmonized Standing Orders.