Lagos State House of Assembly lawmakers has called on State Governors to execute full implementation of financial autonomy for the State legislatives houses and judiciary arms of government in the country. The call was made as a result of the nationwide strike held by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN and Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN yearning for the full implementation of the Presidential Executive Order No. 10, 2020 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday 20th of May, 2020. Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu who raised the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance during Plenary on Tuesday, expressed that the Executive Order is yet to be fully implemented in several States thereby causing massive industrial actions by PASAN and JUSUN; hindering activities in various State Houses of Assembly and Courts across the country. He however, commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa and other State Assembly Speakers for ensuring the success of the autonomy especially the level of advancement embraced by Lagos State and its Assembly concerning the Executive Order.
According to him, “The tenets of democracy are about checks and balances, independence and interdependence but when the finances of two arms of government are controlled by the other arm, it will hinder the ability of both arms affected to function without fear or favour.” Similarly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade stressed that Lagos State is democratic in its dispensation as it does not make any arm of government subservient under each other by granting separation of power as well as independence and interdependence of each arm. He appealed to Governors of affected States to take the lead from Lagos State by enjoining enforcement of the implementation. “It is unfortunate that the ongoing strike by the Unions is affecting the economy of the State and the welfare of the people; with the courts shut down; a lot of people are suffering while legislative practices are curtailed in the affected States.” He added
Congratulating Lagos State for instilling true democracy elevating it as a landmark State, Hon. Desmond Elliot also commended Rt. Hon. Obasa and other Speakers who ensured the actualisation of the Executive Order. He said, “The strike, I believe is in solidarity of true democracy, and we should lend our voices to call on other governors to push for the full implementation.” Adding that to subject any arm of government into financial autonomy deprivation when an Executive Order has been signed by the President is appalling to democracy; Hon. Victor Akande pinpointed that there is a caveat stated that where the State government refuses to do otherwise, the Auditor General of the Federation should set budget line from the State’s allocated revenue. The Speaker thereafter urged the Governors’ Forum to speedily do the needful, commending past and present governors of Lagos State, starting with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for implementing and sustaining financial autonomy as a veritable tool for democratic and economic growth in the State; also, in particular the Lagos State PASAN, JUSUN and others for their boldness and sincerity in action.
