Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and other stakeholders yesterday renewed calls for a constitutional amendment to grant state assemblies financial autonomy.
Tambuwal made the call at the induction course for state assemblies members-elect organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) in Abuja.
Although the constitution amendment approved by the National Assembly provides for financial autonomy for state assemblies, President Goodluck Jonathan has refused to assent to it, citing procedural breaches among others.
Represented by the deputy speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, Tambuwal said that state assemblies do not enjoy the autonomy needed to perform legislative functions.
“Here at the national level, we have secured our independence, and that is why both the Senate and the House of Representatives function with or without the cooperation of the executive arm of government.
“You are following through what is going on with our battle with the constitution amendment… I am sure in the full length of time, the legislature will take a firm position and you will know the position we have taken. For us, all our effort is about institutionalisation of the legislature,” he stated.
Speaking on the sidelines of the induction course, two-term member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Tim Owhefere, stated that autonomy for state assemblies cannot be realistic unless there is a constitutional backup that makes them separate from the apron string of the state governments.
Owhefere said state assemblies will remain subordinate to the state governments because there are no definite constitutional provisions that make them legally separate and independent from the state governments.
He said autonomy cannot be secured for the state assemblies because the 1999 constitution as amended does not expressly provide for their independence.
“If there is no law backing autonomy, it can’t change. You cannot insult a man who needs to give you money every week. The state assemblies will continue to be rubber stamps to the executive arm of government so long as the executive releases the cash.
“If there is no law on ground to define and shape autonomy for the state assemblies, the situation will remain the same. So, if there is no autonomy for state assemblies, all state assemblies will remain rubber stamps to the executive arm of government,” he further said.
On the disagreement between the federal government and the National Assembly over the amendment to sections of the 1999 constitution, Owhefere observed, “You cannot force the judgement of the Supreme Court. I wonder why it took the Presidency so long to object to the amendment considering the huge sum of money expended on this project”.
“Recall that the 36 Houses of Assembly met and voted on this amendment and to just wake up one morning to say that you are uncomfortable with the amendment leaves much to be desired. I mean it doesn’t tell well of our democracy and if you look at all the amendments, everything was designed to strengthen the very foundation of our democracy.”

Also, on the recommendations of the National Conference, the lawmaker lauded the report but regretted that it will like others be consigned to the dustbin. “History has overtaken them again. It going to be like every other report that we have seen in the past because the man who engineered it is gone.”