Criticism has emerged following the signing of the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024 by Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Tuesday.
The governor defended the law, stating that granting absolute autonomy to the 774 local government areas would lead to “humongous chaos” and hinder sustainable development.
At a press briefing held at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, Soludo argued that a recent Supreme Court ruling did not nullify Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows state governments to legislate on local government administration. The Anambra State House of Assembly passed the bill during its plenary session last Tuesday.
Opposition groups and members of the civil society have criticized the law, claiming it is an attempt to force local government chairmen to remit their Federal allocations back to the state.
Chief Damian Ugoh, a member of the Labour Party, stated that the law contradicts the Supreme Court's judgment on local government autonomy.
Dr. Ralph Uche, Executive Director of the Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, labelled the law as “anti-people,” arguing that it undermines local councils' financial resources intended for grassroots development.
In response, Soludo emphasized that the new laws aim to enhance transparency and collaboration between state and local governments. He asserted that structured cooperation is essential for sustainable grassroots development and that no tier of government can operate in isolation.
The governor dismissed allegations that governors had coerced local government chairmen into signing agreements regarding fund transfers, insisting that such claims are unfounded.
He reiterated that the new law is designed to ensure effective management of local government finances while fostering accountability and oversight.
