JUST IN: Governor Soludo Dismisses 21 Transition Committee Chairmen in Anambra

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has taken action by dismissing all 21 local government transition chairmen across the state. This decision signals a shift in local governance dynamics within the state.

According to a letter dated May 17, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Collins Nwabunwanne, the chairmen have been instructed to hand over the reins of their respective councils to the Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs).

The directive mandates the ousted chairmen to complete the handover process by Monday, May 20.

In the letter, it states: “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.”

Governor Soludo’s decision comes amid expectations for local government elections in the state, prompted by public demand. Last week, he directed party stakeholders to nominate candidates for transition committees in their local government areas, with a stipulation that one nominee must be a woman from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) stakeholders.

This message was communicated to all transition committee chairmen by the governor’s special adviser on political matters, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu. The directive outlined the expectation for stakeholders to convene and recommend three persons for the position of TC Chairman and three for Local Government Education Secretaries, with gender inclusivity considerations.

Anambra state has historically relied on transition committees for local governance, with the last local government election held by former governor Peter Obi shortly before the end of his second term. This move by Soludo is seen as a response to calls for democratizing the local government system, which critics argue has been stifled by gubernatorial control through transition committees.