2 months ago
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Leadership of the National Assembly has affirmed the legislative arm would proceed to give constitutional backing to the ruling of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday hailed the ruling of the Supreme Court as victory for democracy.
The Speaker of the House of Reps, Abbas said members of the Green Chamber are happy that history was made.
Abbas said among all legislative work carried out by the House, how to make local government autonomous has been one of the top priorities.
Speaking to State House Correspondents on Thursday, Speaker Abbas said, “members have been very happy because history has been made; this is an issue that has been before the parliament for the past 20 years.
“All the constitutional amendments that were so far carried by the National Assembly, one aspect of it has always been local government autonomy, how do we make the local government to work independently.
“Today that impossibility became a reality. Everyone is happy and we are looking forward to local government that will work functionally, and that will be able to work on their own and extend goodwill to their own people undisturbed by the excesses by the state governors.”
On his part, the Senate President, Godwill Akpabi, said both House of Reps and the Senate would return to ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court ruling through legislative bills.
Akpabio told State House Correspondents that the ruling of the Supreme Court ruling was the beginning of great things to come for democracy.
He said the National Assembly would ensure real elections are held in local government areas.
“The Supreme Court has spoken, and we have no option but to abide by its ruling. I urge all states to respect this decision. This is a great day for democracy and the beginning of great things to come.
“We will return to the legislature to ensure its full implementation. The words of the Supreme Court are akin to the words of a king; they must be implemented,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President added, “I have seen the judgement and will study it further. We need to ensure real elections at the local government level, working with the Attorney General’s office and parliament to restore confidence in the electoral process.
“This ruling is progress for democracy, and we congratulate the justices of the Supreme Court. We in parliament are determined to ensure its enforceability.”
English (US) ·