LG caretaker governments unacceptable, APC tells Soludo

Anambra State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has warned professor Chukwuma Soludo over his administration purported plan to appoint Local Government caretaker governments, describing such move as illegal and provocative.

In a statement by the spokesman of the party in Anambra State, Okelo Madukaife said Soludo’s administration cannot claim ignorant of the multiple decisions of the Supreme Court which has declared caretaker governments as illegal.

He said the move by the state government to tow this path violates section 7 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Okelo however, stressed that to appropriate offices that should be contested for by 18 political parties into a cache of political patronage is completely wrong.

The statement reads, “The plan of Anambra State Government led by His Excellency, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to retrace the path of recent political and economic failures by appointing governments that should be elected in 21 LGAs of Anambra State is illegal and provocative.

“Anambra’s four-month old government cannot claim ignorance of the multiple decisions of the Supreme Court using Enugu State and Oyo State, among many others to the effect that Caretaker Governments are illegal and a clear constitutional violation, specifically on Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“Nothing in our wildest imagination would have suggested to us and to _Ndi Anambra_ that any government would still be attracted to this conduit of waste that has stunted economic growth by choking up competing ideas and youth employment, while eliminating legislative checks at LG level in the state.

“It was a major point of bad of failure for Peter Obi Government as well as Obiano Government, which elevated stealing from the LGs into a high art, and yet rather than face charges here is now frolicking in America, from where his visiting government was created by those yet to apologise to the state and Nigeria.

“We hope that the holes created in the ANSG purse by the last government, which ironically is being covered up is not driving a brand-new government we thought had a focus down the bitten path of graft.

“To appropriate offices that should be contested for for by 18 political parties into a cache of political patronage for one unpromising one, ever afraid to compete is objectionable and actionable.

“Our great party had in the past failed to recognise appointed caretaker governments, and had secured judgement from the courts ordering elections, which were flouted.

“We may therefore have to move one step further if this government
insists on the illegality of appointing LG governments as if a separate tier of government is part of the state cabinet.

“Governor Soludo and his government will be held responsible in the event of any anarchy arising from his government ‘s white-eyed challenge to the Nigerian Constitution.

“We urge the youth of Anambra State, irrespective of political affiliation to cue into a vocal objection to the tyranny of the minority by objecting to this retrogressive step, that has inflicted pain on Anambra State and ensure that it fails this time

“We urge Ndi Anambra not to vote for any state legislator seeking reelection if such a person lends legislative cover to the pending illegality that will now be fought the way Nigeria fought for independence and against military dictatorship.

“Instead of this rehash of failure, Soudo Government should announce the date of LG elections and between the announcement and the election, Heads of Service should act,subject to the time limit provided by the law.

“Our party is prepared for all the sacrifice that is necessary to preserve our constitution and save LG funds for the LGs.”

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