….Backs The Legislative Amendment
The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Jarrett Tenebe has commended governor Monday Okpebholo for signing Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill into law.
Tenebe spoke to journalists in his office after the amendment of the bill by Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) and subsequently signing the bill into law by the governor.
The chairman commended the move, describing the amendment and the signing of the bill into law as the step towards addressing what he called an anomaly in the management of public funds.
He noted the EDHA amended a portion in the 2023 Legislative Financial Autonomy Laws to address the management of capital funds, noting that he is in full support of the actions of the House and the governor.
He noted that the law was slated for minor amendments rather than outright cancellation which has been amended, passed by the house and assented to by the governor.
Tenebe maintained that the constitution on its own has given autonomy to the three arms of government, the Judiciary, legislative and the executive, so there is nothing extraordinary in the action of EDHA.
“Every law draws its strength from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Any law that draws conflict with the Constitution is null and void as the Constitution takes precedent over such laws.
“The House of Assembly can make appropriation but not to execute. If you approve and execute, who now check you? The reason for independence is to have checks and balances.
“What has happened now has shown that Edo State and the house are ready to function. If the Constitution spelled out a role and you assume another role that is in conflict with the Constitution that is where Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is involved.
“To avoid this the EDHA in its wisdom decided to remove those Clauses that affect the financial autonomy they had”.