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Constitution Review: Senate Favours LG, State Assemblies’ Financial Autonomy
Ahead of the Constitution review slated for this weekend, the Senate has assured Nigerians that there is no going back on granting financial autonomy to local governments and State Houses of Assembly.
This was revealed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on 1999 Constitution Review and Deputy President of the Senate , Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media , Uche Anikwe even as the state Houses of Assembly through their Speakers, said they will join forces with the Upper Chamber to ensure that financial autonomy is granted them and the local governments in Nigeria.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu, in the statement noted that financial autonomy is “the single most important constitutional empowerment required by State Houses of Assembly for effective leadership in the interest of democracy and development”.
He emphasised that the autonomy of the Local Governments was tied to the independence of the State Assemblies and understanding of the Governors.
His. words “Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the States, through their Houses of Assembly, to make laws establishing Local Government Councils, their structure, composition, finance, and functions. Therefore, the independence and efficiency of the leadership of State Assemblies are key to the just and efficient exercise of these functions”.
The DSP however, regretted that undue executive and political party interference in some states bring debilitating influences to bear on the leadership process of the legislature.
“The issue of presiding officers must be settled by the parliamentarians themselves in accordance with Section 92 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that ‘There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of a House of Assembly who shall be elected by members of the House from among themselves’”, he added.
He said imposition of leadership on any State Assembly would render it “ineffectual, pliable, and sometimes, a lame duck that is ever willing to do the master’s biddings”.
He cited the example of the 2010 Constitution amendment exercise when the State Houses of Assembly “refused to approve financial autonomy for themselves even when they voted in support of financial independence for the National Assembly”.
Ekweremadu, said that “the result is that while the National Assembly is no longer at the mercy of the Executive arm for its funding, the State Assemblies could be easily arm-twisted by starving them of funds, if they refuse to do the biddings of the Executive”.
On Local Government autonomy, he stated: “We are currently making efforts in the ongoing Constitution review exercise to strengthen governance at the grassroots by amending Section 7 of the Constitution to properly situate the Local Governments as a third tier of the government of the federation.
“We are working to make elaborate provisions for their funding, tenure, election, and to clearly delineate their powers and responsibilities. For instance, we seek to abolish the Joint State-Local Government Account in line with popular demand by Nigerians”.
In a related development, the Vice Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ubosi, said that the Conference of Speakers had resolved to support the autonomy for Local Governments and State Assemblies.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene