Opposition Slams Soludo’s New Local Government Law, Calls it “Anti-Autonomy”

Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent signing of the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024 has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from the Labour Party and civil society groups. The new law, which limits full autonomy for the state’s local governments, has been met with strong opposition.

During a press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka on Tuesday, Soludo argued that granting absolute autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria would lead to “humongous chaos” and hinder sustainable development. He emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling did not nullify Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants states the authority to regulate local government administration.

Soludo highlighted that the state’s House of Assembly had passed the law to ensure transparency and collaboration between state and local governments. He defended the law as crucial to preventing financial mismanagement at the local level and promoting accountability.

However, opposition groups and civil society leaders have sharply criticized the law. Chief Damian Ugoh, a Labour Party leader in Anambra, condemned the legislation as an attempt to divert federal allocations meant for local governments into the state’s coffers. He argued that the law contradicts a Supreme Court ruling, which supports local government autonomy.

“The bill seeks to arm-twist local government chairmen into sending back federal allocations to the state,” Ugoh said. “We, as a political party, stand by the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy.”

Civil society organizations have echoed these concerns. Dr. Ralph Uche, Executive Director of the Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, called the law “anti-people” and accused the governor of denying local governments the funds necessary for grassroots development.

In response to these criticisms, Soludo defended the law, stating it aligns with the Constitution and Supreme Court judgments. He argued that without collaboration between the state and local governments, many local councils would face financial collapse.

Soludo also denied allegations that governors force local government chairmen to surrender funds, describing such claims as baseless. “Governors are often accused of seeking to control local government funds, but in Anambra, we aim for structured collaboration to ensure sustainable development,” he said.