
The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a fervent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to withhold funds allocated for local governments across Nigeria. This call comes in response to allegations that state governors are exerting undue influence over local government chairmen, thereby undermining the financial autonomy and operational integrity of local councils.
In a statement released by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, the organization condemned the actions of the state governors as "an egregious affront to our democratic principles and the rightful autonomy of local government councils across Nigeria." Isiguzoro further elaborated, stating, "The governors of our esteemed federation have colluded to subvert the very resources meant for the upliftment and development of our grassroots communities."
Ohanaeze highlighted the recent judicial mandate by the Supreme Court, which unequivocally granted full administrative and financial autonomy to local councils. However, they claim this mandate is being flouted with impunity. "Such conduct is a derision of the foundational tenets of our democratic framework," Isiguzoro asserted, emphasizing the need for co-equal functioning among the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of government.
Particular criticism was directed at Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, following the passage of the 'Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024.' Ohanaeze described this legislation as a "glaring example of legislative madness" that seeks to entrench a system of coercion, compelling local governments to remit federal allocations to accounts controlled by state authorities.
Expressing deep disappointment, Ohanaeze called upon Governor Soludo to withdraw the bill, warning that its enactment could severely damage his prospects for re-election in the forthcoming 2025 gubernatorial elections. "We significantly caution that signing this bill into law could irreparably damage his prospects for re-election," the statement read.
Overall, Ohanaeze implored President Tinubu to take decisive action by withholding local government allocations from any state that persists in these unlawful practices starting from October 2024. "We envisage a Nigeria where federal allocations designated for local governance are protected from the grasp of governors seeking to exploit them for personal or partisan gain," Isiguzoro concluded.
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