Anambra Labour Party Lawmakers Accuse Governor Soludo of Undermining Local Government Autonomy

Labour Party lawmakers from Anambra State have raised concerns over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s proposed bill, titled “Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024,” accusing him of attempting to undermine local government autonomy. The lawmakers, including Senator Tony Nwoye, George Ozodinobi, Afam Ogene, Idu Emeka, and Anekwe Peter, made these accusations during a press conference at the National Assembly on Thursday in Abuja.

The lawmakers expressed alarm over what they described as an effort by the Anambra State government to reverse the Supreme Court’s recent decision granting financial autonomy to local governments. In its landmark ruling on July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court declared that local governments must receive their funds directly from the Federation Account, effectively bypassing the control of state governments. The judgment was seen as a major victory for local government independence and a step towards ensuring better governance and service delivery at the grassroots level.

The Labour Party representatives fear that Governor Soludo’s proposed law seeks to overturn this progress by reintroducing mechanisms that would once again subject local governments to state control. They argue that this would not only contravene the Supreme Court’s ruling but also undermine the principle of financial independence for local councils, which is essential for effective administration and development.

At the press conference, the lawmakers emphasized that the proposed bill poses a threat to the progress made in decentralizing power and empowering local governments to manage their own resources. They called on stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the public, to reject any attempts to erode the autonomy granted by the judiciary.

The accusations have sparked a fresh debate about the relationship between state and local governments in Nigeria, particularly regarding financial control and accountability. As the Anambra State government defends its legislative agenda, the clash between Governor Soludo’s administration and Labour Party lawmakers underscores the ongoing struggle over the balance of power between state and local authorities in the country.