The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to activate Executive Order 10 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, which grants full autonomy to the legislature and judiciary in Nigeria.
This was stated at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday.
The House also commended the striking members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria for remaining resolute on ensuring that the two arms of government enjoy autonomy.
Obasa appreciated the lawmakers for contributing to the debate raised under ‘matter of urgent public importance’ by the lawmaker representing Eti Osa 2, Gbolahan Yishawu.
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“I commend PASAN at the Lagos State House of Assembly for permitting us to have our own sittings in this hallowed chamber. I sincerely commend the boldness and sincerity of purpose of both PASAN and JUSUN,” Obasa said.
”I thank and commend the 2003 legislators of this Assembly for initiating the bill that granted us autonomy. I also commend the governors of Lagos State, from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for sustaining the autonomy of the legislature in the state.
“Lagos is not the only state enjoying autonomy for legislature currently; Delta State has been granted autonomy. We want to use this medium to call on all state governors through the Nigeria Governors Forum to speed up their considerations and implement the full-scale financial autonomy,” he said.
Debating on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, the lawmakers advised President Buhari to take some bold steps, including proper rejigging of the country’s security architecture as well as a consideration for state police. They also urged the federal government to get assistance from international organisations if that could help curtail the increased violence, kidnappings and attacks on communities across the country.
Though they commended the Lagos government for sustaining the security and peace in the state, they urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to provide Close Circuit Television (CCTV) across the state.
“We should start developing policies that have human face. The situation that the country’s youth are passing through should be of concern. We have men and women roaming the streets without jobs or anything to keep them going.
“We should do something substantial beyond giving out N10,000 to youths,” the Speaker said.
Rotimi Olowo (Somolu 1) said the country must not be run in a way that would make any of its component parts feel alienated as this would make the people feel like true stakeholders and reduce secessionist thoughts.
