The Governor of Anambra State Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has said granting complete autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local councils could lead to “humongous chaos.”
Soludo argued that complete autonomy for LGAs is impractical and could result in serious challenges.
He said this during a press briefing shortly before signing Anambra State Local Government Administration Law, which was passed by the State House of Assembly last Thursday.
Mr Soludo noted that the Supreme Court ruling did not void Section 7 of the 1999 constitution.
The new law requires LGAs in Anambra to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account managed by the state government.
He said, “Absolute autonomy for the 774 local government areas is an impossibility and a recipe for humongous chaos. The challenges that come with local government autonomy could worsen the situation and harm the intended beneficiaries if not properly planned.”
The former bank Chief added that without collaboration between the tiers, many LGAs could face severe financial difficulties, potentially requiring bailouts from state governments or intervention from the federal government in cases of insolvency.
Meanwhile, the signing came amid concerns from civil society organisations and other opposition groups faulting the passage of the Local Government Administration Bill.
The opposition described it as an attempt by the governor to cajole local government chairmen into paying their federal allocation back to the state.
Among persons groups that raised worries about the new law were a member of the Labour Party in the state, Chief Damian Ugoh, who said, “Signing of the LG is against the Supreme Court judgement.
“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.”
