Osun Assembly Begins Amendment of OSSIEC Laws Following Supreme Court Ruling on LG Autonomy
The Osun State House of Assembly has initiated the process of amending the laws governing the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and the creation and administration of local governments.
This legislative move follows a recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local governments across Nigeria.
During a plenary session on Tuesday, Speaker Adewale Egbedun highlighted the necessity of these amendments to align the state’s legislative framework with the new legal landscape established by the Supreme Court’s decision.
“I trust that each one of us is well-informed about the recent landmark ruling delivered by the Supreme Court, which has authorized financial independence for the 774 Local Governments across Nigeria,” Egbedun stated. “This significant judgment has brought about the nullification of certain existing laws that were in place.”
Egbedun emphasized the importance of promptly initiating the amendment process for the current Osun State Local Government Areas (Creation and Administration) Laws and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Law.
To facilitate this process, he proposed two new bills for consideration: the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment No 1) Bill, 2024, and the Osun State Local Government Areas (Creation and Administration) (Harmonised) Bill, 2024.
“Let us work collaboratively to enact laws that not only comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling but also promote good governance and effective administration at the local government level,” he urged. “Your dedication and expertise in this matter are highly valued, and I am confident that together, we can enact legislation that serves the best interests of our constituents and upholds the principles of democracy.”
The Osun Assembly’s move to amend these laws signifies a proactive step towards ensuring that the state’s legislative framework supports the financial autonomy of local governments, thereby fostering improved governance and administration at the grassroots level.
