Hardship: Conference of State Legislatures’ Speakers Seeks Relief for Nigerians

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria on Thursday , May 16, 2024, concluded its general meeting at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with a strong turnout of 29 Right Honourable Speakers.

The assembly tackled pressing national issues related to governance, featuring expert presentations and culminating in crucial resolutions to improve the state of the nation.

Under the chairmanship of Rt Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, the conference reached several critical resolutions aimed at improving the state of the nation. While acknowledging the President’s bold economic steps, the Speakers expressed concern over the severe impact of these policies on citizens and called for equally courageous and sustainable measures to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians.

The Conference noted the constitutional breach in implementing financial autonomy for state legislatures and urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the constitutional provisions. The Speakers also appealed to political leaders in Rivers State to seek peaceful resolutions to the ongoing tensions between the state’s legislative and executive branches.

In response to rising insecurity, the Conference advocated for the establishment of state policing and appealed to the National Assembly, the Presidency, and other stakeholders to consider this during the ongoing constitutional review process.

The meeting also featured addresses by Hon Chike Okafor, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, and Hon Mark Essiet, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs.

The Conference’s resolutions reflect a commitment to addressing the challenges facing Nigeria through dialogue, legislative action, and collaboration with other branches of government.