Anebi
The Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Lukman Adeleye, has stated that, unlike the National Assembly, which enjoys financial and administrative independence, state houses of assembly remain constrained and lack full autonomy.
Adeleye explained that state legislatures still rely on the information units and financial allocations of their respective state governments.
He made this assertion on Monday while featured on a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta.
According to him, although the constitution provides for a state allocation committee—chaired by each state’s Commissioner for Finance—to oversee the disbursement of federal and internally generated revenue among the judiciary, legislature, and executive, the executive arm continues to dominate. It allegedly appropriates the lion’s share of the resources, thereby leaving limited room for legislative independence.
Adeleye emphasised that while the legislative arm in the state operates within its limited framework, it remains encumbered by executive dominance and the absence of financial and administrative freedom.
His words, “To God be the glory, today the National Assembly is autonomous. Constitutionally, it is self-funded except where you have leadership that has chosen to be a rubber stamp to the executive.
“Coming back to the State Assembly, I’ll tell you without mixing words that the gains recorded at the national level are still far better than what we have at the state assemblies.
“We still depend on the information unit and finances of the state government. In this way, we are handicapped.”
Despite these limitations, Adeleye noted that the Ogun Assembly, under the leadership of the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, has made commendable progress in fostering good governance through legislative action.
“Today, we are doing well as a state in terms of internally generated revenue. Ogun State is the most industrialised in Nigeria. The Assembly has been doing its best through good legislation to enhance and promote governance,” he said.
He rated the Ogun Assembly’s oversight function at 60 per cent, stating that it conducts quarterly comprehensive reviews of ministries, departments, and agencies, with a proactive Public Accounts Committee serving as the legislature’s internal anti-graft mechanism.
Ogun Assembly remains handicap, depends on state govt – Minority leader
