Anambra Assembly passes controversial LG bill amid opposition from Senate

The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed the Anambra State Local Government Administration Bill, 2024 into law, a move widely criticized by Labour Party National Assembly members from the state.

The lawmakers accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of attempting to undermine the Supreme Court’s recent ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments.

The opposition arose following a July 11, 2024, Supreme Court judgment, which directed that funds meant for the 774 local government areas in Nigeria be paid directly into their accounts, bypassing state-local government joint accounts.

The ruling was aimed at ensuring financial independence for local governments, a principle the new Anambra bill is alleged to subvert.

Labour Party lawmakers, including Senator Tony Nwoye, Hon. George Ozodinobi, Hon. Afam Ogene, Hon. Idu Emeka, and Hon. Anekwe Peter, voiced their concerns, accusing the state government of trying to revert to a system of impunity.

They pointed to specific sections of the new law, particularly Section 13(1), which mandates the creation of a “State Joint Local Government Account” for distributing federal allocations to local governments directly contravening the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Despite these objections, the bill was passed on Wednesday during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze.

He explained that the law aims to clearly define the powers of local government officials and strengthen cooperation between state and local administrations. Proponents of the bill, such as House Committee Chairman on Local Government Patrick Udoba and Noble Igwe, member representing Ogbaru Constituency 1, argued that the law would empower local governments to function more effectively while maintaining joint responsibility with the state.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate unanimously passed a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye, reaffirming the Supreme Court’s judgment and calling for strict adherence to its directives on local government financial autonomy.

Senate President Godwin Akpabio praised the motion, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that funds allocated to local governments are used directly for their intended purposes to improve the lives of citizens.