Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has called on colleagues to forgo personal interests and fears to allow autonomy of other arms of government.

He said the agitation by states Houses of Assembly for financial autonomy was “a welcome development.”

“I call on my colleague governors not to be scared of anything but to do what is right and things will work better in the interest of everyone. 

We are elected to serve the public and not to protect our personal interests,’’ said Mr El-Rufai on Wednesday at a news conference held on the side-lines of the on-going 8th edition of the National and State Assembly Service Commissions conference holding in Kaduna.

The Kaduna governor assured that an Executive Bill seeking financial autonomy for the legislature will be sent to the state’s House of Assembly on Wednesday.

“Our Bill will go to the House on Wednesday and I hope it will be passed very quickly so that we can put in place the necessary framework as soon as possible,” he told newsmen.

He said that the move was to enable the legislature to function more effectively and efficiently.

“We must preserve our democracy and work consciously to develop it. And part of that development is granting the legislature financial autonomy,’’ the governor said.

He stressed that the executive arm of government in Kaduna state had always been supporting the legislature.

“Kaduna State House of Assembly will tell you that we have great respect for their financial autonomy and solvency,’’ he said.

Mr El-Rufai said that governments must develop the legislature and this could only be done through better funding and sharing of ideas.

He said the Kaduna conference would enable all states assemblies’ service commissions to brainstorm and proffer better strategies to support the legislature.’’

In March, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) embarked on an industrial action following non-implementation of Executive Order 10, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, by state governors.

Mr Buhari signed the order on May 23, 2020, granting financial autonomy to the legislative and judicial arms of governments in the 36 states but the Nigeria Governors’ Forum blocked the move.

Though the striking workers have since resumed duties following interventions from the labour ministry and other stakeholders, governors continue to foot-drag on the matter despite repeated assurances.

(NAN)