THE Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria yesterday urged the Federal Government to implement the new constitutional provision granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and state legislatures.
This was part of the resolutions of the 36 Houses of Assembly Speakers yesterday at the end of a three-day conference in Lagos,.
The communique was read by Ahmed Guni, the chairman, Electoral Committee and Communiqué Drafting Committee, who said the Speakers deliberated on a lot of national issues and conducted elections.
Guni, the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, said: “Among other things, the conference reviewed and adopted the report of its special committee set up to facilitate an efficient and effective implementation of the financial autonomy law for the state legislatures and the judiciary.
“The conference also called on the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to ensure meaningful engagement with the executive arms in their respective states to have a seamless implementation of the new law with a view to strengthening state legislatures and enhancing democracy in Nigeria.”
They also called on the National Assembly to expedite actions on the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police with a view to complementing the efforts of Nigeria Police on security.
The Speakers urged political leaders to put national interest above any other interest, adding that the police should be professional and apolitical in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
The police, the communiqué added, must desist from invading and occupying legislative houses.
The conference commiserated with the people of Zamfara and other states attacked by gunmen.
The Speakers also elected and swore-in a new executive to run their affairs, and Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa emerged as the new chairman and was subsequently sworn-in.
Obasa takes over from the outgoing Conference Chairman, Isamaila Kamba, Kebbi State House of Assembly Speaker.
The Deputy Chairman went to the Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker Peter Abeldiah and the Treasurer went to Delta State Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Financial Secretary was clinched by Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker Prince Kolawole Matthew.
The six geopolitical zones are to be represented by the following vice chairmen: Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, Rivers Speaker (representing Southsouth) and Mrs. Rita Maduagu, Anambra State Speaker (representing Southeast) and Oloyelogun David, Ondo State Speaker (represents the Southwest).