By Andy Asemota
The quest for true federalism in Nigeria will remain a mirage without fiscal autonomy of not only the judiciary and the legislature at the state level but also local governments.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Michael Bamidele, made this assertion during the screening exercise of Hon. Justice Salish Garba Abdullahi, Chief Judge designate of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday.

“The fiscal autonomy of both the judiciary and the legislature at the state level, as it is at the federal level, is non-negotiable. This is by ensuring autonomy for all arms of government in a way that no arm of government can hold the others to ransom, that itself is the legislative intent of sections 81(3) and 121(3) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Linked to the desired fiscal autonomy for each of the three arms of government is also the urgent, cognitive and compelling need to ensure fiscal autonomy of each of the tiers of government, specifically as it relates to local government autonomy if we must have a healthy democracy founded on true federalism,” he said.

The lawmaker also expressed hope that the issues of inadequate funding and the current nationwide strike, which shut down judicial activities in many parts of the country would soon be addressed so s to pave way for judicial activities to thrive in the overall interest of the nation.

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He urged the presidency and all stakeholders who participate in the process of executive and judicial appointments in the country to ensure compliance with both the eligibility criteria as well as the federal character principle to avoid unnecessary heating up of the polity and eroding the unity and strength of the country.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, who presented the nominee to the committee for screening exercise in a closed-door session, assured that all the issues raised by the committee would be transmitted to the appropriate quarters.