Hon. Gambo Manzo, The Special Assistant to The President of Nigeria on Political Affairs has lauded the Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency Governor Inuwa Mohammed for assenting the legislative and judiciary Autonomy bill into law.
Hon. Manzo gave the commendation through his Media and Communication Assistant, Amb Timothy Nwachukwu, He stated that despite signing a Memorandum of Action on autonomy for state legislature and Judiciary, most of the 36 governors have not encouraged the enactment of legislation to back it up, he therefore commended the Governor of Gombe State for ensuring the autonomy of the two other arms of Government at the state level.
Hon. Manzo restated that president Buhari had on May 20, 2020, issued the order to give breath to Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to ensure its implementation. The order partly reads: “Whereas a Presidential Implementation Committee was constituted to fashion out strategies and modalities for the implementation of financial autonomy for the State Legislature and State Judiciary in compliance with section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended); taking into considerations all other applicable laws, instruments, conventions and regulations, which provides for financial autonomy at the State tier of Government;
“Whereas implementation of financial autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary will strengthen the institutions at the State tier of Government and make them more independent and accountable in line with the tenets of democracy as enshrined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended);.
Hon. Manzo revealed that while some state assemblies have passed the bills for the autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary, over 24 states are yet to take proactive steps towards ensuring the independence of other arms of Government.
*Hon. Gambo stated that the action of the Gombe state Governor will put Gombe State on the path of accelerated development as it will enable other arms of the Government to act independently in the overall interest of the state.*
*Governor Inuwa was quoted to have said thus “My decision to assent to the bills is as a result of my administration’s commitment to achieving autonomy and independence of these important arms of government, So far we have provided an enabling environment for a healthy relationship for both the judiciary and legislative arms. There is no doubt that the cordial relationship will guarantee a virile and strong democracy as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.*
