Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has cautioned that granting full autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs) could lead to widespread chaos and undermine sustainable development. He made this assertion on Tuesday at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka, while signing the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024.
The law, recently passed by the State House of Assembly, introduces regulations on the management of local government funds and mandates financial oversight by the state.
Soludo Warns Against Full LGA Autonomy
Governor Soludo argued that absolute autonomy for local governments is neither practical nor sustainable, given the challenges it could introduce. He emphasized that Section 7 of Nigeria’s constitution empowers state governments to enact laws regulating local government administration, underscoring the need for state oversight.
“Absolute autonomy for the 774 LGAs is an impossibility,” Soludo stated. “In fact, it would result in humongous chaos. Without careful planning, the challenges already facing local governments would worsen, negatively impacting the intended beneficiaries of the autonomy process.”
Compliance with Supreme Court Ruling
Soludo clarified that the new law aligns with a recent Supreme Court judgment on local government administration, rather than seeking to undermine it. “These laws are designed to operationalize the Supreme Court judgment. If the State House of Assembly fails to enact this law, local governments will lack a legal framework to manage their finances,” he explained.
Key Provisions of the New Law
The Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024 introduces financial oversight through a State Joint Local Government Account system.
Section 13(1): All federal allocations to LGAs in Anambra State must be deposited into a State Joint Local Government Account managed by the state government.
Section 14(3): Each LGA must remit a state-determined percentage of its federal allocation into a consolidated state account within two working days of receiving the funds.
Section 14(4): If the state receives the federal allocation on behalf of an LGA, the required percentage will be deducted before the remaining funds are transferred to the local government.
Impact on Governance
The new law aims to ensure better coordination between the state and local governments, but it has sparked discussions about the balance of power. Governor Soludo reiterated that the law is intended to enhance governance rather than diminish local government authority.
The debate over LGA autonomy remains a contentious issue in Nigeria, with various stakeholders weighing the benefits of decentralization against the need for accountability and efficient resource management.
