Legislative Autonomy: Buhari, 36 State Assembly Speakers Meet in Abuja

Pat Stevens/

The speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly today met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The demand for an executive order on the implementation of full autonomy for state legislatures was reportedly top the agenda of the meeting.

The speakers were led by the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, who doubles as Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly. Mr Mudashiru Obasa.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Obasa said though the amended 1999 Constitution had incorporated the independence and financial autonomy for state legislatures, a presidential intervention by way of an executive order would fast-track its implementation.

“We are therefore urging Mr President to intervene and speed up the implementation. We also urged the President to come in with an executive order for this implementation to move faster,” Obasa stated.

The speakers also canvassed the devolution of powers to the states and local governments through a review of the Exclusive Legislative List.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari, also attended the meeting.