Anambra’s state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo’s signing of the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024 on Tuesday has drawn widespread backlash and criticism from all spheres.
Soludo had stated that, the bill was necessary because allowing unlimited power to the 774 local governments would result in “humongous chaos” and would not contribute to sustainable growth.
Soludo argued at a news briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka on Tuesday that, the Supreme Court decision did not render Section 7 of the 1999 constitution invalid.
Last Tuesday, the state House of Assembly enacted the “Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024” during its plenary session.
Soludo insisted that Section 7 of the constitution empowered the state governments to enact enabling laws for the administration of the respective local government areas across the country.
He emphasised that the two legislations passed by the state Assembly sought to achieve consistency, enhanced transparency and collaboration among the tiers of government.
The signing came amid concerns from members of civil society groups and other opposition groups faulting the passage of the Local Government Administration Bill.
The Labour Party has regarded the development as an attempt by the governor to arm-twist local government chairmen into paying their federal allocation back to the state. Labour Party member in the state, Chief Damian Ugoh said, “Signing of the LG is against the Supreme Court judgement.
“The bill seeks to arm-twist the chairmen to send back the local government allocation received directly from the Federal Government to the state coffers.
“Consequently, we, as a political party, stand by the decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, on the autonomy of Local Government and the management of their funds.
“That going by the extant order of the Supreme Court, the state House of Assembly cannot make laws seeking to compel the local governments to pay in their federal allocation to the state government under whatever guise.”
Also reacting, the Executive Director of Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, Dr Ralph Uche, described the signing of the law as “anti-people,” aimed at denying the local government councils’ funds meant for grassroots development.
Uche said, “The bill seeks to compel local government areas to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state, which is a wrong development.
