The President, Muhammadu Buhari has granted financial autonomy to State Houses Of Assembly and Judiciary in the country. The President signed the bill into law yesterday, thereby relieving both the State Houses of Assembly and Judiciary of the tight grip on them by the State Governors in their respective states.
The move also could drastically reduce the influence of State Governors on their State Legislators, as it will promote check and balance between the State Executive and Legislative, and even the Judiciary.
The bill which has been signed into law was part of the constitutional amendment process by the National Assembly. This move now would see both State Assembly and Judiciary setting their own budget and getting monies directly from the Federal government and not directly from State.
While making this known, the President said the signed Constitution Amendment Bill will provide for the funding of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciaries directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). The Bill, now an Act of the National Assembly, alters Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution. He said:
The purpose of this Bill, now an Act of the NASS, following my signing today, is to promote the fiscal independence of the Legislative & Judicial Arms of State Governments. Amounts due to them shall now be paid directly to them, instead of through the Executive arm of the States.
This is a good move, as the state governors now will find it very difficult to see or use the state Judiciary and or state National assembly member.