A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Daniel Onjeh, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s alleged disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Onjeh’s plea comes after Soludo signed the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024, which reportedly undermines the Supreme Court’s July 2024 decision granting full financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The APC chieftain argued that Soludo’s concerns about granting full autonomy to local governments leading to chaos are unfounded and disrespectful to the Supreme Court’s authority.
Onjeh emphasized that local government autonomy will promote real development at the grassroots level by allowing funds to flow directly to the councils.
Onjeh stressed that respecting the Supreme Court’s ruling is crucial for preserving the rule of law and preventing anarchy, urging the National Assembly to prioritize constitutional amendments to safeguard local government autonomy from state interference.
“In fact, what will truly hinder development at the grassroots is any measure that allows state control over LG funds,” Daily Post quoted him as saying.
“With LG autonomy, funds flow directly to the councils, cutting the chains of bureaucracy that have for too long stunted local progress. This is the path to real, sustainable development that our communities need.
“Any attempt to undermine a Supreme Court ruling is an open invitation to anarchy. Regardless of personal views, every Nigerian—governor or citizen—is bound to respect and uphold the Supreme Court’s authority.”
Onjeh further called on the National Assembly to prioritize amendments to the Constitution that would institutionalize the Supreme Court’s interpretation of LGA autonomy, making it invulnerable to state interference.
“Our lawmakers must rise to this occasion and secure the legal framework necessary to protect the financial and political autonomy of local governments across the country.
“We don’t need to struggle over this matter. The rising spate of insecurity has deepened the food crisis in Nigeria, posing a serious challenge to a population that is growing exponentially, like ours.
” LG autonomy will certainly enable democracy to flourish in Nigeria because it will raise the level of political consciousness of the citizens at the grassroots, promoting the growth and consolidation of democracy in the country. Participatory democracy starts at the grassroots,” Onjeh stated.