Anambra’s LG autonomy under threat as Soludo introduces setback bills

October 09, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has introduced a bill that’s causing quite a stir.

The bill requires Local Government areas (LGAs) to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state.

This move has raised concerns that local government autonomy, recently upheld by the Supreme Court, may be undermined.

Section 13(1) of the bill stipulates that the state shall maintain a “State Joint Local Government Account” into which all federal allocations to LGAs must be deposited. Section 14(3) mandates that each LGA must remit a state-determined percentage to the consolidated account within two working days of receiving their allocations.

Labour Party lawmakers, including Hon. Henry Mbachu and Hon. Jude Umennajiego, have distanced themselves from the bill, stating that they “equivocally stand with the overwhelming majority of Anambra people in upholding the constitution and the Supreme Court decision”.

“We equivocally stand with the overwhelming majority of Anambra people in upholding the constitution and the Supreme Court decision”, he said.

Responding on behalf of Governor Soludo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, maintained that the House of Assembly acted within the law.

“Is it the Supreme Court that should donate power or the constitution? Does the Supreme Court make laws?” Mefor questioned, suggesting that the court’s judgment was merely an interpretation of the constitution and does not override it.

“The Supreme Court’s judgment does not, in any way, affect the constitution. Nobody is saying that local governments will not be autonomous,” Mefor added.

Governor Soludo has defended the bill, asserting that it does not contravene the Supreme Court’s judgment.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Anambra State Chapter has also condemned the proposed amendments, describing them as an administrative and legislative rascality and a desecration of the Apex Court Judgment.

The Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024, delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

The court ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to manage and withhold Local Government funds.