Soludo contended that the Supreme Court ruling did not invalidate Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has on Tuesday signed a controversial Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024 into law.
However, the law has been opposed by Nigerians who accused the governor of undermining the independence granted LGs by the Supreme Court.
During a press conference held before the law’s signing at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, Soludo contended that the Supreme Court ruling did not invalidate Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
The state House of Assembly approved the bill, titled “Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024,” during its plenary session the previous Tuesday.
In his remarks, Soludo articulated that the law was prompted by the belief that granting complete autonomy to the 774 local government areas would result in “humongous chaos” and hinder sustainable development.
The governor maintained that Section 7 of the Constitution grants state governments the authority to create enabling legislation for the governance of local government areas throughout the nation.
He underscored that the two pieces of legislation passed by the state Assembly aimed to promote consistency, enhance transparency, and foster collaboration among the various levels of government.
The law’s signing, however, has raised concerns among civil society organizations and opposition groups, who criticize the passage of the Local Government Administration Bill.
Opponents view it as an effort by the governor to coerce local government chairpersons into returning their federal allocations to the state.
Among those expressing apprehension regarding the new law was Chief Damian Ugoh, a member of the Labour Party in the state, who stated, “The signing of the LG is contrary to the Supreme Court judgment.”
“The bill seeks to arm-twist the chairmen to send back the local government allocation received directly from the Federal Government to the state coffers.
“Consequently, we, as a political party, stand by the decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, on the autonomy of Local Government and the management of their funds.
“That going by the extant order of the Supreme Court, the state House of Assembly cannot make laws seeking to compel the local governments to pay in their federal allocation to the state government under whatever guise.”
Also reacting, the Executive Director of Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, Dr Ralph Uche, described the signing of the law as “anti-people,” aimed at denying the local government councils’ funds meant for grassroots development.
Uche said, “The bill seeks to compel local government areas to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state, which is a wrong development.”