President Muhammadu Buhari’s pursuit of autonomy for the legislature and the Judiciary is a positive development in the political history of Nigeria and it is quite laudable.
The Buhari Media Organization (BMO) made this comment in its reaction to the inauguration of a presidential committee on autonomy of state legislatures and judiciaries in line with the fourth alteration to the 1999 constitutional amendment.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO applauded the President “for hearkening to the age-long yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”
The group noted that the 16-man panel has the Minister of Justice and Attorney General as chairman while the presidential adviser on National Assembly Matters Senator Ita Enang will serve as the secretary.
“The assertion by the president that the setting up of the committee was ‘necessitated by the realisation that legislative and judicial autonomy are necessary pre-conditions for the country’s democracy to endure’’ is apt, considering that their attachment to the states’ executives had hindered the delivery of seamless and altruistic service to their constituents and people seeking for quick dispensation of justice.
We consider this as a positive development in the political history of Nigeria because for the first time a proactive and decisive move is being made to make the second tier of government work for the people at the grassroots.”
BMO says it is also gratifing that the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari is strengthening the country’s democracy by guaranteeing separation of powers among the three arms of government even at the state level. “Definitely this will help to bring development to the people at the grassroots as their state representatives will work harder for their interests.
“We are also glad to note that the inauguration of the committee is the right step in the right direction as the recommendations will address the perennial quest for devolution of powers and restructuring. We believe that the president is using his numerous progressive policies to restructure Nigeria without blowing his trumpet.
“It is also worthy of note that the committee is made up of various stakeholders in the judiciary, Nigeria Governors Forum, Speakers’ forum, States’ House of Assembly Service Commissions, Senate and House of Representatives committees on Judiciary. This, we believe, will allow for broader input of various stakeholders to make the outcome of the committee sustainable.”