Members of the Labour Party caucus in the Anambra State House of Assembly have disassociated themselves from the Local government administration bill brought by Governor Chukwuma soludo that was passed into law on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the Labour Party caucus members are;
Hon. Jude Umennajiego (Onitsha South 2)
Hon. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North 2)
Hon. Mazi Paul Obu (Orumba North)
Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi (Anaocha 1)
Hon. Fredrick Ezenwa (Onitsha North 2)
Hon. Kingsley Udemezue (Idemili N)
Hon. Justice Azuka (Onitsha North 1) and Hon. Nigeria Henry Mbachu (Awka South1).
According to the LP lawmakers, they stand by the decision of the highest court in Nigeria, Supreme Court, on the authonomy of the local government and management of their funds.
Hon. Umennajiego who addressed Journalists on behalf of others stated that the Supreme court made far reaching decisions in its 11th of July, 2024 judgement in the suit No. SC/CV/343/2024, Attorney General of the Federation VS Attorney of Abia State and Ors on the funds and autonomy of local government as third tier of the Federation.
“Recall that on 11th day of July, 2024, the Supreme Court gave a judgment in Suit No: SC/CV/343/2024, Attorney General of the Federation VS Attorney General of Abia State & ors.
“In that judgment, the Supreme Court made far reaching decisions on the funds and autonomy of the Local Government as a third tier of the Federation.
“The judgment among other declarations barred the State Government, its agents, privies, officials and those acting for or on their instruction from interfering, managing, collecting, receiving, spending or tampering with Local Government Council funds from Federation Account. It further ordered that the money due to the Local Governments be paid directly to them.
“Recently, Anambra State Local Government Administration Bill was brought to the Assembly. Some sections of the bill particularly Sections 13, 14 and 16 seek to compel the Local Governments to pay their Federal Allocation into an account to be established by the State Government, thereby running foul of the Supreme Court judgement.
“Consequently, we as the Labour party caucus in the State House of Assembly wish to state as follows:
“That we 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.
“We therefore stand with the overwhelming majority of Anambra people in upholding the constitution and the Supreme Court decision.
ANN gathered that the 8th Assembly at plenary on Tuesday passed the Anambra
Local Government Administration Law after the joint Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Committee on Judiciary and Justice presented its report through Hon. Patrick Udoba.
Anambra Assembly Speaker Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze speaking after the law was passed said it was in the intreast of ndi Anambra.
