Speakers and principal officers of State Houses of Assembly in the South West have expressed their commitment to lobbying the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to secure full autonomy for state legislatures. They believe this will strengthen democratic governance across Nigeria’s 36 states.

The lawmakers, at the end of a capacity development retreat in Ikogosi-Ekiti, emphasized the importance of legislative autonomy to reinforce democratic principles. The retreat, attended by key figures from the region, was sponsored by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The initiative followed the recognition of Ekiti State House of Assembly, which was awarded as the best state assembly for its integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The lawmakers also expressed plans to adopt an e-parliament system to enhance transparency and efficiency within the legislative process.

In a communique issued by the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Southwest Zone, Adeoye Aribasoye, the lawmakers reiterated their commitment to participating actively in the ongoing constitutional amendment process. They aim to ensure that the outcomes lead to rapid development and good governance across the country.

Aribasoye, who also serves as the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, stated, “We further commit to reviewing the recently amended constitutional provisions to ensure their effective domestication and application in our states.”

The lawmakers are also committed to translating the insights gained during the retreat into actionable strategies for the benefit of their constituents, with a focus on advancing good governance. They highlighted the importance of engaging the NGF to advocate for the legislative autonomy of State Houses of Assembly, ensuring a stronger and more independent legislative process in Nigeria.