On Tuesday, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo signed the controversial Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024, despite opposition from Nigerians who accuse him of undermining the independence granted to local governments by the Supreme Court.
At a press conference before the signing at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, Soludo argued that the Supreme Court ruling did not invalidate Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution. The state House of Assembly had approved the bill, titled “Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024,” during its plenary session the previous Tuesday.
Soludo explained that the law was motivated by concerns that granting complete autonomy to the 774 local government areas would lead to “humongous chaos” and impede sustainable development. He emphasized that Section 7 of the Constitution empowers state governments to create enabling legislation for local government governance nationwide.
He also highlighted that the two pieces of legislation passed by the state Assembly were designed to promote consistency, enhance transparency, and encourage collaboration among different levels of government....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
However, the law’s signing has sparked concerns among civil society organizations and opposition groups, who criticize the Local Government Administration Bill. Opponents argue it aims to pressure local government chairpersons into returning their federal allocations to the state.
Chief Damian Ugoh, a member of the Labour Party in the state, voiced his apprehension, stating, “The signing of the LG is contrary to the Supreme Court judgment. 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.”
Dr. Ralph Uche, Executive Director of the Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, also condemned the law’s signing, describing it as “anti-people” and aimed at depriving local government councils of funds intended for grassroots development. Uche stated, “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.”
