Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to peacefully oppose any move by the Edo State House of Assembly to repeal or amend the Edo State House of Assembly and Judiciary Autonomy Law, 2021.
The NLC stated its position in a statement issued in Benin City on Monday by its Caretaker Committee Chairman, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen.
The council also expressed its full support for the ongoing protest by the Edo State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), emphasising the importance of safeguarding the financial and institutional autonomy of both the legislature and judiciary.
The NLC said its affiliate unions across the state would be mobilised to join JUSUN and other stakeholders in a peaceful resistance should there be any attempt to alter the autonomy law.
“In the days ahead, all progressive affiliate unions of the NLC in Edo State shall be mobilised to stand shoulder to shoulder with JUSUN and other critical stakeholders. We will sustain this peaceful resistance should there be any attempt to gamble with the autonomy law,” the council said.
The labour body recalled the 2022 decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the financial autonomy of state legislatures and judiciaries, noting that the judgment affirmed the constitutional principle of financial independence for the two arms of government.
According to the NLC, any attempt to repeal or tamper with the 2021 autonomy law would undermine the principle of separation of powers and weaken democratic institutions.
The council also warned against any situation in which the judiciary could be subjected to undue executive influence.
“No society can thrive where justice is caged, and where the temple of justice is made to bow before the executive,” it stated.
The Edo NLC therefore urged the State House of Assembly to abandon any plan to amend the autonomy law and instead focus on enacting people-oriented legislation that promotes democracy, strengthens public institutions and safeguards justice for the people of Edo State.
