By ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
It was another opportunity for the Director General, National Institute For Legislative And Democratic Studies NILDS,a scholar per excellence,a Professor of political science,technocrat, bureacrat of high repute, Professor Olarenwaju Abubakar Sulaiman,as he again highlighted on the workability of the fourth alteration of the Nigeria 1999 constitution, approved by Nigeria President, on the operationalization of the State Assembly Service Commissions, SASC’s, Judicial Service Commission, independently,without recourse to the executive arm of government.
NILDS helsman has not only preached against the meddlesomeness in different fora by State Governments,but at the just concluded 4 days conference held by the National Assembly Service Commission NASC in Kaduna,but also demonstrated the ills on the continuous interference on the management of State Assemblies through it’s commision by States, the need to guarantee genuine and uninterrupted local government autonomy,abolish joint accounts by States and Local Governments,mulled the conduct of a fair and transparent local government elections,so as to deepened democracy and restore confidence of not only the electorates,but it’s operation at sub-national level.
For a constitutional democracy,a separation of power,as provided by the Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, is sancrosanct,either through a domesticated approach known as “Flexible Separation”, and or Separation of Cooperation”,but ought to be within the dictates of the constitutional provisions as enacted under the law.
The insistence on democratic practice through separation of powers between the three arms of government, which included the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislature in the area of financial/operational autonomy In Nigeria, should not be negotiable.
Good governance will only be possible in Nigeria with a clear cut separation of powers by other arms of government, which included the State Judiciary and the State Assemblies yearning for total autonomy for optimum performance and service delivery to the people.
For an egalitarian society,the SASC’s conference should be a springboard to States Assemblies in election of it’s officers, committees,rules that will translate to a wholistic independence.
At the same time,NILDS will want to see a state lawmakers who will be at liberty to elect and appoint it’s principal officers,establish it’s committees,rules and business that will translate to better leadership at sub national level is non negotiable.
The existence of workable , accountable arm of government at the state level,with judicious financial autonomy should be absolute and total ,as it will enable it to hire experienced ,fund,carry out oversight,committees,research, consultation, capacity building both for the state legislators, parliamentary staffs and legislative aides.
For improved and robust performance at the sub national level of Governments,legal framework is required to instill operational and financial autonomy,prioritised appointments,employ competent hands, guarantee ethical standards and professionalism at that level.
This will only be practicable when the leadership of the executive arm of government,showed readiness to display selfless management, inline with the constitutional provisions,rather than what is obtainable in the current dispensation.
The wind of change had begun in Nigeria, according to the top man of NILDS,as some state governments has abolished or set in motion the process of removing the draconian and pro-military tendencies still operational in Nigeria.
The commendable efforts worth replication has debuted from Kaduna state,with the abolition of “Joint Accounts'” for State and local Governments in the State, conducted a transparent and nationally accepted electronic transmission of election results at the Local Government areas in the state, a great moves that will give autonomy to Local Government areas in the State, Judicial autonomy and SASC’s independent worth replication at other sub-national level in Nigeria.
When fully operational,it will imposed social,economic and health security, enhance good leadership and synergy among people oriented governments.
With experience both as an academic,an administrator,a politician and political analyst with flexible tendencies at the top echelon of Nigeria Democratic Institution, he is determined to right the wrongs, not only at the sub-national level,also at the federal level.
Abubakar Yusuf Is A Journalist,Writes From Abuja.