Moses Ofodeme
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has explained that the recently signed Presidential Executive Orders were aimed at complementing the existing legislations; while ensuring inter-agency coordination in the process of implementation.
Dr Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Public Relations; quoted the minister as saying this on Thursday, May 28, in Abuja in a radio programme.
Malami said the orders are to ensure constitutional compliance, enhancing operation, enforcement; and application of legal provisions as well as providing necessary supervision required for enforcement.
He pointed out that the Executive Orders are naturally intended to force constitutional compliance which in the case of Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria establishes the autonomy of the states legislatures and judiciary.
“The Executive Order is, therefore, a necessary tool for the purpose of bringing to effect such autonomy by way of assigning certain responsibilities; both institutional and otherwise necessary for the purpose of enforcing the autonomy.
“By way of example, therefore, if the Federal Government wants to withhold the resources of a State Government that refuses to comply with the constitutional provision; relating to the autonomy of State Legislatures and Judiciary then the Federal Government may require the services of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“Similarly, if the government wants the state legislature to be part of the process relating to appropriation. For example, an agreement must be reached on the need for the state legislature to be alive to its responsibility.”
He noted that for coordinated institutional support; necessary and desirable for bringing to affect the operation, enforcement, and application of a constitutional provision Executive Order becomes necessary.
“The Executive Order No.10 is meant to bring about the constitutionality associated; with the autonomy of the state legislature and judiciary.
“It also intended to achieve a supervisory role by assigning responsibilities and ensuring proper supervision desired for the purpose of enforcement and application of autonomy constitutionally granted States legislature and judiciary by the Constitution.”
