The NIgeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the union is optimistic that with the backing of the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt Honorable Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, the advocacy they are doing for the scaling through of the the bill for Legislative, Judiciary, and Local Government Autonomy will scale through in the assemblies of the 19 Northern states.
This was contained in a statement signed by the SA Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Honourable Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday March 16, 2022.
It said that representative of the National President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba expressed this when they held a rally procession to the Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Wabba who was represented by the Deputy National President of the Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Kabiru Ado, who is also the Kano State NLC Chairman, praised Zailani for his legislative prowess.
“We know the Kaduna Speaker is the chairman of 19 Northern Speakers forum, hence he can influence his colleagues to ensure that his colleagues support the bill.
“We are aware that Kaduna Assembly has already passed this bill twice, granting LG autonomy.
“We are optimistic that if it gets to your assembly it will be passed,” he said.
NLC explained that a similar protest has been staged at the National Assembly.
They explained that section 81, sub section 3 grants autonomy to legislatures, judiciary and local government areas.
“Based on constitution, even if NASS pases bill, it has to go through the state legislators,” he explained.
NLC assured the Assembly that they will continue to work with them as partners.
In his response, the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani assured the NIgeria Labour Congress (NLC), that the bill for Legislative, Judiciary, and Local Government Autonomy has the blessings of the state assembly.
“The bill being expected, has the blessings of Kaduna Assembly,” he said,” he said.
The Speaker who was represented by Rt. Honourable Mukhtar Isa Hazo said that the Assembly is happy and commends leadership of NLC and other affiliates for the protest.
“It will interest you to know that Kaduna Assembly is always first in the region, we do, others copy
“I believe when you met the Speaker, he has already spoken our minds.
“We thank you for the respect given to us by coming to our assembly to pass your message,” he said.
The NLC Chairman Kaduna State, Comrade Ayuba Magaji in his remarks, said that 42 affiliates of NLC were represented, with labour leaders from the seven North West states.
This followed a massive protest embarked upon by the NLC, from Kaduna Township Stadium to Kaduna State House of Assembly.