‘YOMI AYELESO reports on the recent retreat of the speakers and principal officers of the State of Houses of Assembly in the South-West where issues relating to full financial autonomy, legislative collaboration in the region, adoption of e-parliament system among other issues were discussed by participants and the experts at the session.
Globally, the legislative arm of government is identified as the most strategic due to its nature of high representation and intellectual drive in line with the principles of democratic governance. As robustly intellectual as the arm seems to be, it is never an island unto itself; It requires extending beneficial handshakes and partnerships to other arms for smooth operations. The lesson therein is that any institution that will meet the yearnings of the people must open up to interactions and intellectual discourse.
Without ambiguity, before a legislature can be rated as being effective, it must give an unfettered room for knowledge-sharing, peer review mechanism and cross-fertilisation of ideas. Therefore, no efforts must be spared to make the arm more effective functional and result-oriented. It was on this premise that the Conference of South-West speakers, under the chairmanship of Ekiti State House of Assembly speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, was held.
The retreat, which was held last weekend at Ikogosi Resort Centre in Ekiti State, was attended by speakers of all the state Houses of Assembly in the zone and other principal officers. As a way of promoting public-private partnership, the retreat was organised in collaboration with emerging private giant, Cavista Holdings Limited, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The lawmakers also stretched their hands of fellowship to the National Assembly to broaden the interactive baseline. The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and Majority Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, were on hand to share their political insight at the event. This further laced the programme with high level participations and underscored the seriousness attached to it.
Most exhilarating was the fact that the parliamentarians were discernible enough to understand that the Nigerian legislature was seriously challenged and encumbered. They knew they were entangled in a web of politics that impeded their operations. It is like operating in enemies’ territories. Some of the limitations bothered heavily on restricted financial autonomy, low ICT compliance and savviness, poor recognition for representative democracy, weak oversight functions, among others.
As experienced democrats with enormous mastery of the game, they didn’t appear combative, nor treat the executive as an anathema over their pains. They maturely restrained themselves from sulking over their challenges or embarked on brick batting. They rather engage in intellectual brainstorming and preferred solutions that can bolster quality legislation. They were only interested in putting the arm on a full throttle to deliver as a fulcrum on which the government rotates.
The communique was issued, and signed by the Chairman of Southwest Conference of Speakers and Ekiti helmsman, Aribasoye was explicit. It adumbrated 11- cardinal areas of focus they intended to explore to gain more relevance in the scheme of things.
In fact, they sounded receptive to broadening the horizons of partnerships to tackle their challenges. On the front burner was the issue of autonomy. They restated calls for full autonomy of the legislative arm to engender better proficiency and make it a true hub of development through the quality lawmaking process.
In actual fact, this has been an age long advocacy Nigerians believed will help in boosting their powers of exert checks and balances on the executive arm that is assuming a monstrous status too powerful to bridle. Under this context, they recognised the need to remove the snags, by lobbying the governors of their respective states for the actualisation of the dream.
The Legislators were also upbeat that adoption of e-Parliament System as obtainable in other advanced climes will shore up the effectiveness of Legislature and add modernity, transparency and accountability to that pivotal arm of government. They advocated for a strong legislature that will be fully independent to discharge its duties without inhibition, as a way of deepening democratic order.
According to them; “We recognise the necessity of engaging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to advocate for the legislative autonomy of our State Houses of Assembly. That legislative autonomy is crucial to the ability of legislature to enhance democratic governance in our states.
“We resolve to implement e-parliament systems and processes in our various legislatures to improve communication regarding legislative activities, fostering transparency and accountability.”
The lawmakers committed themselves to giving priority to the ongoing constitutional amendments as well as ensuring that new constitutional provisions promote rapid development and good governance.
They added that they were fully and unwaveringly committed to reviewing the recently amended constitutional provisions to ensure their seamless and effective domestication as well as its application in their respective states.
The parliamentarians further amplified the imperative of allowing the people to continue to be fortress of democracy by deepening “rule by the people” concept, saying for this to be actualised, their representatives must be accorded respect and be fully consulted in governance process.
They said, “Legislature can serve as a demonstration of pluralism, tolerance of diversity and dissent, as well as a place for compromise and consensus building. We commit to updating our fund management laws in accordance with the 5th Alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.
“We commit to strengthened collaboration with media outlets and civil society organizations to enhance transparency and public engagement in legislative processes. We emphasized the need for ongoing training for legislators and parliamentary staff to enhance our legislative effectiveness.”
When the programme was declared open, the Ekiti Speaker, Aribasoye, urged Nigerian legislators to be consistent in their passion to amplify the voices of the people they represent to reset the country’s future on the path of values and transformation.
The Ekiti Speaker declared that the qualities of laws made by the legislative arm would form a solid springboard for the success of the country’s socio-economic and political spheres.
“As legislators, we occupy a strategic space in the governance framework of our country. Our work is not just about passing laws; it is about shaping the future of our communities and ensuring that the voices of our constituents are heard and represented.
“Our collective goal is to unlock innovative solutions to the pressing challenges we face in our regions.The theme of our gathering, “Strengthening Democratic Governance at the Subnational Level,” is not merely a slogan; it reflects our commitment to driving significant change,” he said.
Aribasoye saluted the Speakers of Houses of Assembly in the Southwest and other principal officers for their commitments to regional development, in spite of political differences and ideologies.
The speaker added, “Your presence here today is a testament to our collective dedication to improving governance and legislative practices in our regions. As we embark on this journey of learning, sharing, and collaboration, I urge each of you to engage actively. Let us challenge one another, share our experiences, and emerge from this retreat equipped with the tools and insights necessary to elevate our legislative practices.”
In his speech at the retreat, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, noted that the southwest assembly speakers have set an enviable pattern of expected political ties and synergies for the development of their region through the instrumentality of quality legislation.
Kalu highlighted global complexities of the 21st-century economy as one requiring productive legislative synergies at state and national levels, saying viable regional ties would positively impact the polity.
The House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, added that the future of the country could only be better and positively impactful, if all stakeholders strike a deal to work together regardless of political differences.
On the process relating to the constitution review, the deputy speaker said the House of Representatives has received 161 proposals bordering on amendments in the constitution, which according to him will take effect from January, 2025.
He harped on the effective collaboration between the National Assembly and state houses of assembly, saying both are the fundamental body to facilitate the successful constitutional review.
Kalu said, “ In the amendment of the constitution, there is a process that the constitution abides with and one of them is the participation of the state legislation.
“You cannot amend the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria without the involvement of the state legislation. They occupy the cardinal, fundamental position in the structure of the amendment of the constitution.
“This visit is to strengthen our relationship. Constitution review is being done and brought back unto the legislators.
“We are here today to see the southwest caucus of the House of Assembly to intimate them on the process and how far we have gone in our efforts to have a constitution review by December, 2025.
“161 proposals have been gotten from the memorandum given out to the public. Federalism will be the decision of Nigerians based on submission by them when we call for documents.
“We are working on what Nigerians said should be included in the new constitution. We will get our information from the Town Hall meeting we will commence by January, 2025, people will be incorporated.”
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, eulogised the Aribasoye’s leadership for spearheading such an expanded discourse that will turn around executive-legislative relationships in the country.
Governor Oyebanji opined that such landmark convention has the capacity to strengthen Nigerian democratic culture and make it a beacon in Africa if sustained and promoted to a higher pedestal.
In his presentation, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi share his thoughts on the kernel of regional synergy to national development and peacebuilding.
He said regional camaraderie among legislators should be one that will promote national unity, and not sharing of primordial sentiments that can exacerbate the existing crises and cleavages.
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