.. Says Executive, Legislative friction unnecessary
Godwin John Minna
The Speaker, Niger state house assembly, Rt. Hon. Abadulmalik Sarkindaji has said that the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature should not be misconstrue that the state 10th assembly is a rubber stamp to the executive in the discharge of is constitutional functions.
The speaker pointed out that unnecessary friction between executive and legislatures is undemocratic as such friction often hindered genuine development needed in a democratic system.
The speaker was speaking at the government House in Minna on Wednesday when he presented the 2024 budget as passed by the state house of assembly to the governor, Umar Mohammed Bago for his assent.
According to him, “we know what we are doing as legislatures; we are not in any way rubber stamp to the executive. Often time when there is cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, people misconstrue it to mean that the legislative arm is a rubber stamp.
“Unnecessary friction does not provide the enabling environment for a genuine development needed in a democratic system. It rubbed the electorates the dividends of democracy and that is what we the elected leaders at all levels of government must avoid”.
He maintained that the development of the state and the fulfillment of campaign promises of the administration to the people of the state should be the most paramount thing at this critical period of our nation history.
Rt. Hon Sarkindaji while commending the Governor for his leadership role and providing the necessary environment to enable the assembly perform it legislative functions, assured him that the assembly is ready to support and partner with the executives towards realizing the “new Niger” vision of the present administration.
Earlier the Governor had commended the state assembly for passing the budget within the record time of one week after it was presented, stressing that the 10th assembly has made the government and the people of the state proud with the speedy passage of the budget.
The reassured the assembly of a smooth working relationship even as he appealed to the lawmakers that the relationship between the executives and legislatures should remain cordial for the overall benefit of the people.
The assembly had at it plenary earlier in the day passed N613, 994, 801, 697 as against the N613, 274, 801, 697 appropriations bill submitted to it by the governor for the 2024 fiscal year with increase of N720million.
The new budget size passed by the house of assembly follows report by the house standing committee on appropriation presented by the Chairman of the committee and member representing Rafi constituency, Hon. Zubaru Ismaila at floor of the house.
