The new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye, has moved to allay fears over the financial independence of the legislature and judiciary, insisting that recent amendments signed into law by Governor Monday Okpebholo did not abolish their autonomy.
Idaiye said the changes affect only the management of capital expenditure, while recurrent funding, including salaries and routine operational expenses, would continue to be administered by the Assembly and judiciary.
The clarification followed Governor Okpebholo’s signing on Monday of the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill into law.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Idaiye said concerns that the new legislation had stripped the two arms of government of financial autonomy were misplaced.
“The legislation did not remove the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary. The recurrent expenditure would continue to go to the Assembly and judiciary, while the amendment addressed the management of capital funds,” the Speaker said.
According to him, the controversy centred on the administration of funds earmarked for capital projects, which he alleged had been subject to abuse.
“It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused,” he said.
Under the amended arrangement as explained by the Speaker, the Assembly and judiciary will submit proposals for capital projects to the executive, which will handle the funding through the appropriation and implementation process.
Idaiye said the arrangement was intended to strengthen accountability in the management of public resources without interfering with the day-to-day financial operations of either institution.
“The autonomy is still in place; there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” he said.
The Speaker also assured workers that their salaries and other recurrent obligations would not be affected.
“I believe they have not been properly briefed, but the autonomy is still in order, and the workers’ salaries are not touched,” Idaiye added.
Governor Okpebholo, who signed the bills at Government House in Benin City while receiving the Speaker, described the legislation as a resolution of an issue that had generated considerable controversy.
“I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you,” the governor said.
Okpebholo argued that the executive, legislature and judiciary have clearly defined constitutional responsibilities and should operate within those boundaries.
According to him, the legislature is primarily responsible for lawmaking and oversight, the judiciary interprets laws and administers justice, while the executive handles administration and implementation.
“For me, deviating from these is totally out of the field of play, changing the goal post. I saw danger in it and the way things were going,” he said.
The governor maintained that his concern was particularly with the handling of capital funds, saying resources allocated for development projects must translate into visible benefits for residents.
He said capital projects remain one of the most direct ways citizens experience the impact of government and expressed concern that funds meant for such interventions were allegedly not producing the desired results.
Okpebholo commended members of the House of Assembly for the passage of the amendment bills, describing their action as a demonstration of commitment to accountability and development in the state.
The legislation is likely to remain under scrutiny, however, because financial autonomy for state legislatures and judiciaries has long been regarded as critical to maintaining institutional independence and the separation of powers.
Idaiye’s clarification appears aimed at reassuring workers and other stakeholders that the amendments do not affect recurrent funding or salaries but seek to alter the process through which capital projects are financed and executed.
With the laws now signed, attention will turn to their implementation and whether the new arrangement can deliver the accountability promised by the government without undermining the independence of the legislature and judiciary.
