Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s insistence in signing the Local Government Administration Law 2024 has sparked widespread criticism from civil society groups and political opposition.
Soludo defended the law, stating that it aligns with Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers state governments to legislate on local government administration. He argued that granting complete autonomy to the 774 local government areas would lead to “humongous chaos” and undermine sustainable development.
Speaking at a press briefing in Awka, Soludo explained that the new law was designed to ensure greater transparency, consistency, and collaboration between the state and local governments. He emphasized that the legislation is not in conflict with the recent Supreme Court judgment regarding local government autonomy, but rather gives operational life to the ruling by providing clear guidelines for managing local government funds.
Despite the governor’s explanation, opposition groups have voiced concerns. Chief Damian Ugoh, a member of the Labour Party, condemned the law as a violation of the Supreme Court’s stance on local government autonomy, accusing the state of attempting to control federal allocations meant for local councils.
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Similarly, Dr. Ralph Uche, Executive Director of the Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, labeled the law as “anti-people” and warned that it would stifle grassroots development by forcing local governments to remit portions of their federal funds to the state.
In response to these criticisms, Soludo denied allegations that local government chairmen were coerced into signing secret agreements to transfer funds to the state. He clarified that the new laws were meant to protect local governments from financial collapse and ensure consistent payment of salaries and pensions. The governor also stressed the importance of collaboration between all tiers of government, adding that no government operates in isolation.
“The new laws of Anambra are designed to unleash the creative potential of the local governments while ensuring accountability,” Soludo said. “Collaboration is key, and the laws will prevent a situation where some local governments can’t pay their workers while others can. It’s a system that ensures the stability of our entire state.”
Soludo concluded by reiterating that the aim of the law is not for governors to control funds but to avoid mismanagement and ensure that local governments remain financially viable.
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