Senate Approves Financial Autonomy For State Legislatures, Judiciary & Local Governments
The Senate has approved financial independence for state legislatures, judiciary and local governments in Nigeria
It was approved during voting on the report of the Senate Committee on the Reviewed of the 1999 constitution (fifth alteration) Bills, 2022.
However, Senators during voting opposed pension for presiding officers of the legislature.
A total number of 88 senators registered to vote on the bill, 34 voted in support and 53 against the bill.
A bills to override presidential veto in constitution alteration; and to override presidential veto in respect of ordinary money bills was rejected.
Also the rejected bills require the necessary four-fifth (votes of 88 senators) and two-thirds majority (votes of 73 senators) to pass, respectively.
Meanwhile, a bill on procedure for overriding presidential veto in constitutional substitution seeks to provide for the procedure for passing a constitution alteration bill where the President withholds assent.
While the bill for an act to alter the provisions of the constitution to provide the protocol for overriding executive veto in respect of money bills, seeks to provide for mode of practicing federal legislative power on money bills before the National Assembly.
94 senators reported to vote on the bill to override presidential veto in constitutional alteration, 79 lawmakers of the chamber voted in support and 15 against it.
The bill knock over the needed 88 votes (four-fifth requirement) to pass.
On the bill to overrides presidential veto in respect of money bills, out of a total of 84 registered senators, 44 voted in support and 39 against the bill.
The bill also chop down the required two-thirds requirement (73 senators) to pass.
Senate furthermore rejected bills to provide for the removal of presiding officers of the legislature; and to change the name of Barikin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau State to “Gwol” Local Government Area.
