By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
A chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) and erstwhile Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Public Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla yesterday pointed out that Supreme Court’s nullification of Executive Order 10 by the President has exposed the hypocrisy of state governors in the agitations for restructuring and power devolution.
Recall that last Friday, a judgment of the Supreme Court had struck out Executive Order 10 issued by Buhari, which had granted financial autonomy to the judicial and legislative arm of government at State level.
Frowning at some governors’ opposition to financial autonomy for States judiciaries and local councils, he warned that judiciaries in the state will not be free from manipulation and control by governors as long as they do not have financial independence.
According to Obono-Obla, state governors want to continue with their “vice grip on local councils and States judiciaries.”
He cautioned governors against playing to the gallery on the issue of devolution of powers or restructuring, even as he exonerated the President from the campaign against autonomy.
“We are not ready for a change; it is the naked truth, and nobody should pass the buck to President Muhammadu Buhari and try to create the impression that he is the one that is against restructuring. The judgment of the Supreme Court has vindicated President Buhari.
“Gladly an aspect of the judgment of the Supreme Court held that it is unconstitutional for the Federal government to fund States’ Superior courts of record has again exposed the hypocrisy of States’ governors,” he said.
“Some of these governors always shout the loudest on the devolution of powers.
“How on earth would States in a federal system of government want the federal government to be funding their courts?”
Obono-Obla said if elected next year to represent the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, he will initiate constitutional reform for states judiciaries and local councils in the country to enjoy financial independence and autonomy.
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