By Precious Oluwole

The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji has pledged to collaborate with other State Houses of Assembly Speakers towards bringing democracy dividends to the people in Southwest.

He made this pledge while receiving the Speakers of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Adebo Ogundoyin and Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun in his office on Thursday.

While appreciating the speakers, he noted that the visit is a novel development as it has never happened, promising to build the initiative, share ideas and files to develop and strengthen the bond of unity in the Southwest.

The speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Adebo Ogundoyin opined that the reason for the courtesy visit is to open a channel of communication between the Southwest states with a goal to foster a gathered relationship between the state, especially the legislative.

“We are here to show that we stand together as one, especially in the southwest, irrespective of our political affiliation”

He added that fostering the relationship will bring development in the legislative, stressing that once it is well with the legislative, there will be quality representation by the House of Assembly.

“We are looking for how to build a legislative institution where there will be no threat to anyone. And it will be a joy to the people of the states, we will ensure that we build the legislative institution during this our tenure”.

Speaking on financial autonomy, he stressed that the bill has been signed by President Mohammadu Buhari and it’s already a constitutional matter, stressing that all State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria is entitled to financial autonomy.

“Right now, the subsidy removal has called for an increase in funds allocated to state government and we are hoping that the State Houses of Assembly, as well as the judiciary can be captured within this increment in the allocation in the state”.

“We will ensure that our people receive the dividends of democracy through the legislature”.

Osun Assembly speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun said there’s more to achieve in coming together. “This a very good development, let us all key into it”.