The Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly from all 36 states has issued a strong appeal to state governors, urging them to immediately comply with the constitutional requirement for the direct disbursement of funds to state legislatures.
In a communiqué obtained by our correspondent, the Speakers warned that failure to grant financial autonomy could lead to a breakdown in governance, stressing the crucial connection between legislative independence and effective governance.
The communiqué stated, “We call on all state governors to fully comply with Section 121(3) of the Constitution by ensuring the direct disbursement of funds to the State Houses of Assembly. Compliance with this provision is not only a constitutional duty but also a vital step in strengthening our democracy and promoting good governance.”
The communiqué also noted, “The Conference of Speakers is committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Federal Government, and civil society organizations, to ensure the full implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures. We will collaborate with these stakeholders to raise awareness and build consensus on the importance of legislative independence. Additionally, the conference will establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism to track the implementation of financial autonomy across the states, documenting instances of non-compliance and bringing them to the attention of relevant authorities, including the judiciary, for appropriate action