By Our Reporter
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has pledged to preserve the independence of the legislature, an arm of government often at loggerheads with the executive in several other states because of personal interests.
Nonetheless, he also wants lawmakers to resolve their disputes and concentrate on making laws to deliver the good things of democracy to the landlocked, agrarian North Central state.
He promised legislative independence at the one-year anniversary of the state House of Assembly, a “very important milestone … because it marks one year of the triumph of courage over fear in this legislature.
“It marks one year of the victory of the interests of Kogi people over personal interests. It represents one year of making laws for the unity, order and good governance of Kogi State.”
Bello recalled that in the past one year, the Assembly passed the budget, “promptly and saved Kogi State from descending into a financial impasse,” screened appointees with dispatch “and prevented vacancies in critical service areas.”
Through it all, he stressed, the lawmakers remained “intrepid”, and discharged their duties with “humility and determination in the face of highly acidic attacks.”
Said he: “This is probably the most maligned legislative chamber ever in the history of legislative chambers in Nigeria. The odds have been daunting but … members have remained indomitable.”
Bello commended the speaker and other lawmakers for “staying true” and holding steady the tripod of democracy, change and the Kogi new direction.
“The most important attribute of any legislature, in my opinion, is independence. In this context, ‘independence’ would mean, freedom from external influences in the performance of official duties.
“I am making a solemn assurance that if anyone will interfere with the independence of this legislature, it will not be Yahaya Bello and the administration that he leads.
“We are committed to a mutually affirming partnership with this House.”
He reiterated that the Assembly “will not be tied to the purse-strings of the executive. As we promised the judiciary last month, the legislature will enjoy financial and operative autonomy – at least under this administration.
“Your money will come to you as and when due, or when available; and you will be at liberty to expend it at will, provided that is done in accordance with the extant principles of accountability and probity.
“We note that the physical structures of the Kogi State House of Assembly need renovation and upgrading. We shall do our best to make that happen as soon as resources permit. In any case, we shall see what can be commenced immediately.
“The security of members must be assured for them to function effectively and maximally. We have done what we can but we will take more enduring steps to perpetuate the security of members.
“This may include looking for lawful ways to distance this Assembly Complex from other structures which may constitute a security threat. I and Mr speaker and other principal officers will brainstorm on this as soon as possible.”
Bello said the issues confronting the Assembly are a “family affair” which the executive knows is within the powers of legislators to resolve.
“The misunderstanding among our lawmakers in Kogi State is small compared to what we have seen your counterparts in other states confront and conquer.”
He urged the lawmakers to put aside their personal issues and pull together for the constituents who elected them.