Labour Party lawmakers from Anambra State have expressed serious concerns over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s proposed bill titled “Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024.” During a press conference held in Abuja, prominent lawmakers, including Senator Tony Nwoye and others, alleged that the bill represents an effort by the state government to undermine the autonomy of local governments by reversing a crucial Supreme Court ruling. This ruling, delivered on July 11, 2024, mandated that local governments receive financial allocations directly from the Federation Account, without state government interference, a move aimed at ensuring financial autonomy.
Senator Nwoye criticized the proposed law, asserting that it contradicts the Supreme Court’s affirmation of local government financial independence. Specifically, Section 13 of the bill proposes the establishment of a State Joint Local Government Account, enabling the state government to control federal allocations that are intended for local governments. The lawmakers highlighted that this section violates the Supreme Court’s clear injunctions prohibiting state governments from managing or appropriating local government funds. The ruling emphasized local governments’ entitlement to direct access to their funds, ensuring that they are not subjected to the whims of state authorities.
Further escalating their concerns, the Labour Party lawmakers pointed to Section 14 of the proposed bill, which mandates local governments to remit a portion of their allocations to a consolidated account managed by the state. They argued that such a requirement is inherently problematic, as it undermines the financial autonomy intended by the Supreme Court’s decision. By requiring local governments to send part of their funds to a state-controlled account, the proposal contradicts legal affirmations that state governments have no overarching authority over local government finances, threatening the operational capacities of these crucial governance units.
Additionally, the lawmakers took issue with Section 16 of the proposed law, which would establish a Local Government Joint Security Trust account, mandating local governments to remit 20% of their allocations promptly upon receipt. They criticized this section as detrimental to local governments, positing that it would cripple their financial independence and further entrench their dependency on state government control. This effectively chokes local finances and diminishes their ability to function autonomously, echoing sentiments expressed by Justice Moore Adumein during the Supreme Court hearings. Nwoye reiterated that without proper financial autonomy, local governments could become obsolete, resembling mere subordinates to state authorities rather than independent entities.
The Labour Party lawmakers firmly called upon Governor Soludo and the Anambra State House of Assembly to reconsider the proposed law and adhere to the Supreme Court’s ruling. They argued that compliance with this decision is not only a legal obligation but also a necessity for fostering a robust local governance structure in Nigeria. The proposed bill, they contend, represents an unwarranted usurpation of power that goes against the trend toward enhancing local government autonomy across the country, a principle that is intended to promote more effective and accountable governance at the grassroots level.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by the Labour Party lawmakers stem from a broader context of advocating for stronger local government autonomy in Nigeria. They asserted that allowing local governments to manage their own finances without heavy state intervention is crucial for their functionality and empowerment. The lawmakers’ press conference underlined a burgeoning tension within the political landscape of Anambra State, emphasizing the need for state governance to align with judicial rulings to foster a democratic environment where local governments can thrive independently, ultimately serving the interests of their constituents more effectively.
