Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has signed into law the Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024, but firmly rejected the idea of granting absolute autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs).
Speaking at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka after signing the bill, Soludo expressed concerns that full autonomy could result in widespread chaos due to the diverse challenges and complexities facing local governance in the country.
Referring to the provisions of a Supreme Court ruling, which advocated for structured collaboration among all tiers of government, the governor emphasized the importance of shared responsibilities between the state and local governments.
He argued that no tier of government should function in complete isolation, as such an approach could undermine effective governance. Instead, Soludo called for a cooperative framework that would enable the state and local governments to work together on key issues such as security and welfare.
“The notion of absolute autonomy for any tier of government is a myth,” Soludo asserted. “A collaborative approach is the only way to ensure governance that truly serves the people.”
The newly signed law, which was passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly last week, mandates the 21 local governments in the state to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account.
This account, which will be managed by the state government, is intended to ensure efficient management of resources and a more coordinated approach to the delivery of essential services across the state.
Soludo’s stance on local government autonomy has sparked conversations around the ongoing national debate regarding the role and independence of local governments in Nigeria. While proponents of local government autonomy argue that granting more freedom to LGAs would improve grassroots governance and service delivery, critics like Soludo warn that without proper oversight and collaboration, full autonomy could lead to mismanagement, inefficiency, and a lack of coordination in addressing the needs of citizens.
The governor also highlighted the critical role local governments play in governance, stressing that the goal is to ensure that both state and local governments complement each other to provide people-centred governance. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a system that prioritizes accountability and transparency while safeguarding the welfare of the people.
As the law takes effect, the relationship between the Anambra State Government and its local governments is expected to be redefined, focusing on strategic partnerships to ensure effective administration at the grassroots level.
