President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, inaugurated the Presidential Implementation Committee on Autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary at the State House, Abuja.
President Buhari, who spoke at the inauguration which held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, urged members of the Committee to be scrupulous and diligent in the executing their duties.
The presidential committee is expected to ensure that the independence of the judiciary and legislature is maintained.
He explained that it was imperative to set up of the Committee by the realization that Legislative and Judicial autonomy are necessary pre-conditions for nation’s democracy to endure.
The President said the Committee is expected to foster effective implementation of the autonomy constitutionally granted the State Legislature and Judiciary under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Buhari’s speech read, “We are committed to strengthening our democracy by ensuring separation of powers among the three arms of Nigerian Government, even at the State levels.
“Furthermore, we have identified the need to sustain our constitutionally guaranteed Federal system of government by building capabilities not only at the Federal level but at all the Federating Units.
“This Committee has therefore been set-up, as a major reform of this administration, to ensure that the autonomy granted to the legislature and judiciary at the State levels is maintained, pursuant to Section 161 of the 4th Alteration to the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).
“The Committee is thus expected to foster effective implementation of the autonomy constitutionally granted the State Legislature and Judiciary under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“It is my hope that when this is done, there will be proper checks and balances, and the State Legislature and Judiciary shall be genuinely empowered to carry out their respective Constitutional duties without fear of dominance and or marginalization.
“The Legislature, being the closest arm of government to the people, and the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man, must both be seen to be sufficiently independent to perform their respective constitutional roles without any interference, let or hindrance. In this regard, ensuring that these organs of government enjoy financial autonomy will further enhance their efficiency and independence.”