LG Financial Autonomy: Ohanaeze describes imposition of ‘stooge chairmen’ by Governors as monumental fraud

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has described the “imposition of stooge Chairmen and the manipulation of state-controlled electoral bodies” by State Governors as “monumental fraud” that must be brought to an immediate halt.

Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who made the declaration in an electronic statement sent to Fresh Angle International today, Sunday October 13, said “the recent introduction of insidious legislative bills designed to frustrate Supreme Court judgments regarding the direct allocation of funds to LGAs is utterly unacceptable.”

Mazi Isiguzoro, averred: “We express our utmost condemnation of the reprehensible actions taken by state Governors across the federation, who have joined forces to systematically undermine the financial resources allocated for grassroots development intended for the very communities they profess to serve.

“This nefarious coalition of Governors, has conspicuously conspired to subvert the autonomy of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), effectively turning elected Council Chairmen into mere puppets whose actions are dictated by the whims of their State Governors. Such a grab for power not only strips these local councils of their rightful authority but also constitutes a grievous violation of the Supreme Court's ruling, which mandated full administrative and financial autonomy for local governments—an edict that is utterly dismissed and disrespected by these state leaders.

“The continuous exploitation and manipulation of the local government's framework represent a flagrant mockery of the three arms of government—Judiciary, Executive, and Legislative—each of which represents vital pillars in the architecture of a functioning democracy.

“Instead of facilitating financial independence, these bills demand that LGAs surrender their allocations to Governors’ coffers, resulting in continuous looting and a grave detriment to grassroots development and project execution.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasizes that the recently passed "ANAMBRA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION LAW 2024," by the Anambra State House of Assembly on October 8, 2024, is a glaring embodiment of legislative madness. This bill is viewed as an anti-people's initiative—a machination aimed at arm-twisting Local Government Chairmen, reinforcing an agenda of perpetual financial exploitation, and eroding the financial autonomy of LGAs. It is deeply regrettable that a Governor from the Southeast would champion such a regressive legislative measure amid a nation of 36 states.

“We hereby call upon Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to immediately retract this unlawful bill, which seeks to mandate that Local Governments remit a portion of their Federal allocations to a state-controlled bank account. This bill is not only abhorrent but also stands to severely undermine the Governor’s prospects for reelection in the upcoming Anambra State gubernatorial elections.

“Through this medium, Ohanaeze Ndigbo articulates its profound dissatisfaction with these sacrilegious legislative actions that undermine the dignity and rights of Ndi Anambra and the broader Igbo community.

“We implore the Federal Government to impose stringent penalties on any Governor using government instruments, alongside State Houses of Assembly, to siphon funds intended for grassroots development in our local councils.

“In light of these grievous injustices, we fervently call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise his presidential authority by withholding the disbursement of local government allocations, commencing October 2024, from any state that continues to perpetrate these unlawful actions.

“We urge the National Assembly to take immediate and effective measures that will safeguard Federal allocations meant for local councils across Nigeria from the clutches of Governors determined to divert these funds for personal gain.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo also calls upon all Nigerians to unite against the reckless and mischievous actions of Executive Governors who seek to undermine our democratic institutions and the will of the people. It is only through collective action and an unwavering commitment to accountability that we can preserve the integrity of our local governance and ensure that resources meant for our communities are properly allocated and managed.

“In this pivotal moment, we must reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy, transparency, and the nurturing of our grassroots institutions. Together, let us stand in solidarity against the excesses of those in power who seek to exploit their positions for their selfish interests.”

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