At least 31 governors in Nigeria have yet to implement full financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government in their respective states, a violation of constitutional provisions. According to an investigation by The Guardian, only five states, namely Lagos, Delta, Plateau, Oyo, and Nasarawa, currently grant a semblance of full financial independence to their Houses of Assembly, while twelve others, including Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, and Benue, offer partial autonomy. The remaining states have failed to grant any financial autonomy to their legislative bodies.
The struggle for financial autonomy for state legislatures began in 2010 but faced numerous challenges, primarily due to resistance from governors. However, President Muhammadu Buhari issued Executive Order No. 10 in 2020 to enforce the constitutional provisions, which was later challenged by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in the Supreme Court.
Despite these legal battles, the National Assembly and the state legislatures continued to push for autonomy, leading to the passage of the 4th Alteration Act in 2017. The President established a committee to oversee the financial autonomy of the legislative and judiciary arms, leading to Executive Order 10, but governors cited a “lack of modality for implementation” as a reason for non-compliance.
Only Lagos and Plateau have fully implemented financial autonomy, with Jigawa gradually onboarding. The financial autonomy granted by the Constitution is deemed essential for the democratic balance in Nigeria. Stakeholders and experts have warned against the continued oppression of the legislative and judiciary arms by the executive, emphasizing the critical role these institutions play in governance.
The ongoing strike by members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) highlights the urgency of the issue, and state legislatures across the country continue to press for financial independence to better serve their constituents and the nation’s democracy.
