The Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly have collectively called upon President Bola Tinubu to enact policies that will effectively address and mitigate the hardships faced by Nigerians.

Attributing the nation's economic woes to the discontinuation of petroleum subsidies and the volatility of the exchange rate, the Speakers have expressed a unified stance on the need for robust and enduring solutions.

At a recent conference, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, implored the federal government to adopt bold and sustainable measures to lessen the people's distress.

He fervently supported the introduction of state policing as a means to combat the escalating insecurity plaguing the nation.

Furthermore, Ogundoyin urged political figures in Rivers State to seek amicable resolutions to the ongoing tensions between the legislative and executive branches of the state's government.

The conclusion of a meeting in Abuja, which saw the participation of twenty-nine Speakers, was marked by a statement underscoring the breadth of topics discussed, all centered around the theme of effective governance.

The communiqué highlighted, "The Conference commends the President's bold economic initiatives, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the exchange rate. However, it is imperative to note the severe repercussions these policies have had on the citizens."

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon Mark Esset, Chair of the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, assured that state legislative autonomy is a priority in the ongoing constitutional amendments and will be a focal point of discussion.

Esset emphasized the significance of the forum as a crucial gathering for thought leaders committed to reinforcing democratic values and fostering exemplary governance.

This revision aims to maintain the essence of the original article while providing a more structured and formal presentation of the content.

“In this critical time that the 10th National Assembly is undertaking the review of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and knowing the important role the State Houses of Assembly plays, one of the key issues that is on the front burners of the constitutional review is the enactment of the state Houses autonomy, which is the key issue or key point the Houses of Assembly seek to achieve.

“The National Assembly has done it before; unfortunately, it was lost, but I assure you that the National Assembly under the leadership of Tajudeen Abbas, the state parliament autonomy will be a reality.

“In today’s interconnected world, the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation cannot be overstated. Through collaborative efforts, shared experiences, and mutual support, we can address common challenges and work towards sustainable development and prosperity for our people.

“For too long, the national and state legislatures have operated somewhat in isolation; fostering constructive engagement is critical.

“The 10th House of Representatives is particularly keen on strengthening this relationship, especially as we embark on the review of Nigeria’s Constitution. Your support and active participation will be crucial to the success of this monumental task. Additionally, it is essential that we all stay current with our subscriptions to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

“Membership in the CPA offers numerous benefits, including access to a global network of parliamentarians, opportunities for professional development, and platforms for sharing best practices in legislative processes.

“By maintaining our subscriptions, we ensure that we continue to benefit from these valuable resources and remain engaged in the global parliamentary community. Furthermore, your active participation in the CPA allows us to contribute to the ongoing efforts to transform the association from a charity organization based in the UK into a fully-fledged international organization. This transformation will enhance the CPA’s ability to support its members more effectively and ensure that its governance structures reflect the diverse perspectives of its global membership.

“As someone who once served in a state legislature, I am acutely aware of the unique challenges you face as state legislative leaders, especially within the context of state politics.

“However, by working together, we can develop more robust and responsive legislative branches across the country. I commend you for your unwavering commitment to fostering legislative excellence and for your tireless efforts in representing the voices of your constituents. Your dedication is fundamental to the strength and vibrancy of our democracy.

After exhaustive deliberations, the conference issued the following resolutions at the end of the meeting:

“The Conference observed that in spite of the constitutional provisions that grant Financial Autonomy to the State Legislature, the implementation has been observed in breach. We, therefore, call on all the relevant stakeholders to comply with all the provisions in the Constitution and not breach them.

“To achieve this, the Conference appeals to the National Assembly, Presidency, and other relevant stakeholders to leverage the ongoing constitution review exercises.