The twin actions of President Muhammad Buhari and Hope Uzodima of Imo State in the last one week largely signifies the wind of a new order in our democratic enterprise. It is an established fact to all protagonists of true democracy that our system of government has been everything but democracy when one consider the emasculation of o states legislatures by the Governors. These explains why some have never agreed that we are in democracy but rather civil rule or pseudo-democracy.
With the signing of Executive order on financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislature by President Mohammed Buhari, Nigerian democracy that seems to have been off track for some time now is being restored back on track.
Honestly the President Mohammad Buhari deserves a standing ovation and thunderous rounds of applause for the statesmanship and patriotic decision. It is not healthy for the welfare/comfort members of the Judiciary and Legislative arm of government to be in the hands of the States Executive/Governors.
How can we call a political order where the judiciary and legislature are tied to the apron string of the state executives or state Governors for their welfare and some conditions for service? Certainly not democracy.
A political arrangement where the actions and inactions of the legislative and judicial arm of government are largely to suit the whims and caprices of the Governors because of financial dependence is not only a clog in our over twenty years of democratic enterprise but antithetical to democratic ethos and values. It is therefore not democratically healthy for the welfare and comfort of members of states judiciary and legislature be in the hands of Governors. The popular maxim- he who pays pipers dictates the tune would always hold sway in such arrangement.
This action of our President is a major political emancipation for the states judiciary and legislature and also a major a revolution in our democratic order in this country. This new order will bring about great relief of burden on EFCC, ICPC and the court. The truth is that
If the states’ legislative and judicial arms of government perform their functions sincerely and conscientiously, many cases would be taken care of at the legislative arm of government level without necessarily getting to the judiciary or court.
The tripod responsibility of the legislature is to check the excesses of the executive, oversight and appropriation. Any actions outside these three functions is embarking on zealotry adventurism that is largely influenced by self-centeredness. It is also the responsibility of the legislative arm of government to ensure that the actions of Governors are in accordance with the constitution, any deviation or action in excess of their statutory powers be dealt in accordance to laid procedures and processes.
It is also worthy of note to state here that the impeachment clause in the constitution is not for decoration or to occupy space in the constitution, it is to be applied when the need arises. The impeachment clause is to protect the people and the state and to ensure that the Governors are responsible to the people. This is because the spirit of the law envisages the likelihood of the executive recklessness or impunity.
The signing of the Executive Order for financial autonomy for the Legislature and the Judiciary by the President is a watershed that marks the beginning of new dawn in our democratic order. Corruption at states level would reduce significantly and States Executive impunity would also peter out. It will also enhance justice dispensation.
If the legislative and Judicial arm of government had been enjoying such autonomy, states legislators would not have been arm-twisted with ease into making obnoxious law that allows some tenured Politicians to pay themselves gratuity and pension. Honestly this is most incredible and preposterous in a country that pays her workers 30,000 minimum wage and also the poverty capital of the world.
This also typifies the unwavering commitment of our President towards stamping out corruption in Nigeria which calls for commendation.
Remi Adeleke (08034510626)
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