The Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Lukman Adeleye, has revealed that state legislatures in Nigeria lack the financial and administrative independence enjoyed by the National Assembly, leaving them dependent on their respective state governments.
Speaking on Monday during a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Abeokuta, Adeleye explained that state assemblies continue to rely on the information units and financial allocations controlled by the executive arm of government.
"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," Adeleye stated.
"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," he added.
Constitutional Provisions vs. Reality
According to Adeleye, 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 the process.
He alleged that the executive appropriates the lion's share of resources, thereby limiting the legislature's independence and ability to function effectively as a separate arm of government.
Progress Despite Limitations
Despite these constraints, Adeleye commended the Ogun Assembly under Speaker Oludaisi Elemide for making significant 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.
The Minority Leader rated the Ogun Assembly's oversight function at 60 percent, noting that it conducts quarterly comprehensive reviews of ministries, departments, and agencies. He also highlighted the proactive role of the Public Accounts Committee, which serves as the legislature's internal anti-graft mechanism.
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