The executive order by President Muhammadu Buhari granting financial autonomy to legislature and judiciary arms of government in all the 36 states has been described as the best Sallah gift from the President, especially to the state legislature.

The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Right Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, said this in a statement released on Saturday, adding that the body was excited over the action of the President.
Buhari had on Friday evening signed an executive order granting financial autonomy to states’ legislature and judiciary across the 36 states of the federation, months after Obasa led some of his colleagues on a visit to the President at the Aso Rock Villa where he made the demand.

According to Obasa, “No doubt, this order will further make state legislatures independent of the executive arm of their various governments. It would also boost healthy competitions among state legislatures in pursuit of advancements and developments.

“This is the best gift the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, has given the legislative arms of state governments at this Sallah. And coming at the end of the Ramadan, it means God truly answered the prayers of the member state legislatures through the President,” Obasa said.

The Lagos Speaker, who is a member of the implementation committee on the financial autonomy set up by the President, however, commended the members of the implementation committee for putting in their best and meeting its mandate.

He urged the various state beneficiaries of the Executive Order by to see it as a further push to unite the country and play roles for its growth, peace and progress.

The Speaker thanked the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) led by Governor Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State for its support during the events and meetings leading to a final decision of the President.

He also thanked the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, for his roles that eventually resulted in the signing of the order by President Buhari just as he commended his colleagues in the various Houses of Assembly for their steadfastness at all times.