Speakers of the 36 state legislatures in Nigeria have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law, the Executive Order granting financial autonomy to state legislatures and judiciaries.
In a statement issued by their chairman, and Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speakers described the development as the best Sallah gift from the president.
The Executive Order 10 which the President signed on Friday, makes it compulsory for the governors to always include the allocations of the legislature and the judiciary in the first-line charge of their budgets.
It also permits the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to deduct the amounts due to a state legislature and judiciary from monthly allocations of states that refused to implement the order.
The statement read in part: “This is the best gift President Muhammadu Buhari has given the legislative arms of state governments at this Sallah.
“This is coming at the end of the Ramadan; it means God truly answered the prayers of the member state legislatures, through the president.
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“No doubt, this order will further make state legislatures independent of the executive arm of their various governments.
“It will also boost healthy competitions among state legislatures in pursuit of advancements and developments.”
The Speakers commended members of the implementation committee for putting in their best.
They also urged beneficiaries of the Executive Order to see it as a further push to unite the country, and for them to play their roles for the growth, peace and progress of the nation.
The 36 Speakers thanked the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), led by Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State for its support during the events and meetings leading to a final decision of the President.
Furthermore, they appreciated the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, for his roles that eventually resulted in the signing of the order by President Buhari.
