APC govs agree to implement judiciary, legislative autonomy in states
Staff of state judiciaries and parliaments have been on strike, shutting down courts and houses of assembly in agitation for autonomy
Governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have resolved to implement judiciary and legislative autonomy in their states.
The governors met at an emergency meeting in Abuja on Friday and issued a communique on their decision, signed by chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Kebbi state governor Atiku Bagudu.
- Community members beg ‘thugs’ not to harass workers at erosion sites
- Public health doctors launch 6-point call to end gender-based violence
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria had been on strike, shutting down all courts across the country in agitation for the financial autonomy of the judiciary, particularly at the state level.
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), members were also said to be on strike in some states over the denial of state Houses of Assembly their financial independence.
But the APC governors, who have finally agreed to implement their demands, said they were satisfied with the work done by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Committee on autonomy for Judiciary and State Legislature under the Chairmanship of Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
“The Forum endorses agreements reached by the Governor Tambuwal-led NGF Committee and enjoined all APC controlled states and indeed, all states to commence the process of implementing the submitted recommendations.
“As part of the process of implementing the NGF agreements in APC controlled states, appropriate consultations with Attorneys-General will take place in order to provide all necessary legal framework for the implementation of the Governor Tambuwal-led NGF Committee’s proposed recommendations.
“In appreciation of the enormity of the challenges facing the country and the onerous efforts at addressing them, the Forum recommits itself to continue to support all the initiatives of the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari,” the governors said.