Govs kick as MBuhari okays financial autonomy for assemblies, judiciary
Many governors were left shocked by the president’s action coming so soon after the financial autonomy granted local governments by this same administration.
It was learnt that some of the governors may go to court to contest the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order.Sources said some of the governors, especially those in the opposition, felt Buhari is using Executive Order to subvert the constitution with a view to caging them.
A governor from the North-East said: “A true autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary cannot be by fiat. The National Assembly has constituted a Constitution Review Committee; the Presidency ought not to be preemptive. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami , said in a statement that: “A Presidential Implementation Committee was constituted to fashion out strategies and modalities for the implementation of financial autonomy for the State Legislature and State Judiciary in compliance with section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ; taking into consideration all other applicable laws, instruments, conventions and regulations, which...
“Based on the Executive Order at the commencement of this Order for implementation of financial autonomy for State Legislature and State Judiciary in line with section 121 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , all States of the Federation shall include the allocations of the two Arms of Government in their Appropriation Laws.
He said: “what will happen is that the money of the Judiciary in the state budget and the money of the legislature in the state budget will now, each month, as it returns from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee meeting, in addition to the internally generated revenue pro rata will be released by the Accountant General of the State to the legislature through the Clerk of the House who is the accounting officer of the State House of Assembly and the Chief Registrar of each State...
“In summary, it is the same position that we have at the Federal level now where when there is Federation Accounts Allocation and the money of the Federal Government is given, the Accountant General of the Federation will release the money that is meant for the Judiciary to the Judiciary through the National Judicial Council.
“Therefore, it is the same model which the Committee recommended and the President has signed it as an executive order. He added: “By Monday or Tuesday, the Committee will come up with the details. It was a Committee that was set up by Mr. President with the Attorney-General as the Chairman and with myself as the Secretary and the Chief Judge of Kogi State and the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State as members representing the state Judiciary. “
Other members of the Committee included the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Nasir Ajanah and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Kate Abiri as representatives of state judiciary, the Grand Khadi of Gombe State Sharia Court of Appeal, Khadi Abdullahi Maikano and the Acting President of the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court of Appeal, Abbazih Musa Sadeeq.
“Furthermore, we have identified the need to sustain our constitutionally guaranteed Federal system of government by building capabilities not only at the Federal level but at all the Federating Units. “It would also boost healthy competitions among state legislatures in pursuit of advancements and developments.
Those who spoke to The Nation are a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association , Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Chief Felix Fahbohungbe, Abiodun Owonikoko and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria . “We have all called for a balanced federation with distribution of powers. So, perhaps we are beginning to see that process unfold”, Agbakoba said
“The fund for the legislature will also be deducted in like manner and pay to the house through the Speaker,” the activist-lawyer said His words: “I support and commend him for that. I would be happy if he can do more for legislature and judiciary in the states. “If however a state government persists in undermining financial autonomy of its state judiciary and legislature as guaranteed by the altered constitutional provisions, the executive order provides clarification and added support to challenge such act of infraction which violates constitutional supremacy stipulation in section 1 of the a constitution,” Owonikoko said.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Worship centres: Buhari, govs strike five-point dealSaturdayHeadlines 23rd of May 2020 1. Worship Centres: Buhari (MBuhari), govs (NGFSecretariat) strike five-point deal - 2. Lagos (followlasg) rolls out guidelines to reopen businesses post-lockdown - Kingbiodun_ tvcnewsng
Read more »
COVID-19 may increase school drop-outs, forced marriages in Nigeria- Buhari\u2019s MinisterThe Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to many children dropping out of school in Nigeria. Tallen while flagging off the 2020 National Children\u2019s Day celebration, themed: \u201cPromoting Girl-Child Education for Sustainable Development\u2019\u2019, in Abuja expressed concern that the pandemic will likely affect girl-child education.
Read more »
Buhari mourns Senator Gaya's wife - The Nation NigeriaPresident Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Senator Kabiru Haha over the death of his wife, Hajiya Halima Gaya President Buhari...
Read more »
Presidency bars Sallah homage to Buhari - The Nation NigeriaThe Presidency has cancelled this year's Eid-el-Fitr homage to President Muhammadu Buhari by various communities.It also said the President would...
Read more »
Buhari condoles with Sen Kabiru Gaya over wife's death | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsPresident Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya over the death of his wife, Hajiya Halima Gaya.
Read more »
Buhari signs Executive Order on foreign assetsPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday signed Executive Order 008 on Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS) October 2018, which grants pardon for individuals who voluntarily decla…
Read more »