How Buhari’s Order Will Check Nigerian Govs

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Nigerian governors are said to be still dazed over Executive Order No. 10 of 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari granting financial autonomy to state legislature and judiciary.

Buhari had in December 2018 set up a Presidential implementation committee on autonomy of state legislature and state judiciary.

While the majority of the governors are yet to publicly speak out on the order that is bound to curtail their influence over the other arms of government, one of the governors, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that it would be of little consequence in his state.

Gov. Okowa while speaking on a TVC interview on Monday said that Delta State had envisaged the order and started the implementation of the separation of powers with the passage and assent of two laws relating to the issue.

With the power of the purse, the governors have been able to curtail the other arms of government using it as a carrot and stick to bring the lawmakers and the judiciary under their influence.

Even when sufficient money has been budgeted for the legislative houses, the governors ensure that the releases are not affected making the legislators run to the governors from month to month for upkeep.

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However, with the executive order, the Accountant General will have to see the record of disbursement to the legislature and the judiciary for the preceding month before the state’s allocation is disbursed. If it is not there, the AGF will deduct the provision from the state’s allocation for the month in view.

State legislators who had in the past been seen as the apron string of the governors will now be able to exert themselves and as such provide the required oversight over the executive arm of government.

While it is not expected to turn the legislators into sparring partners with governors, it significantly enhances them and for those who are not greedy, it gives them the moral fibre to quiz the governors.

Meanwhile, the move by the President has continued to receive commendations.

Senator Uche Ekwunife described the action as a step in the right direction for Nigeria’s democracy noting that financial autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary will strengthen both institutions of government and guarantee effectiveness in the performance of their functions.

On his own part, Speaker of Lagos State Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru  Obasa, described the development as the best Sallah gift from the president.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, said the new Executive Order 10 will ensure a balanced federation with distribution of powers.

“I support the decision of the president on the grant of financial independence to the judiciary and it accords with the notion of separation of powers.

“More importantly, it implements the decision in Olisa Agbakoba Vs the Attorney-General where the court decided that judicial funding is beyond the scope of powers of the executive.

“We have all called for a balanced federation with the distribution of powers. So, perhaps we are beginning to see that process unfold”, Agbakoba said

Femi Falana (SAN) noted that the Order will go a long way in consolidating democracy and strengthening the independence of the judiciary and legislature at the state level.

President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, said the Executive Order ensures that the Executive does not starve the Judiciary or the Legislature of funds.

In the coming days, the President’s action will be made to face scrutiny, with the Governors looking at its legality.

This time around, the President will not go begging the Governors to support his re-election and they can as well powerless to sabotage him.

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