Members of the Labour Party caucus in the Anambra State House of Assembly have disassociated themselves from the Local government administration bill brought by Anambra State Governor Prof Charles soludo that was passed into law on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024 by the House.
The Labour Party caucus members led by Hon. Jude Umennajiego, representing Onitsha South 2, made this known while addressing journalists at the Anambra State House Assembly complex.
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.
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.
“The judgement among other declarations barred the State Government, its agents, privies, officials and those acting for or on their instruction from interfacing, managing, collecting, receiving, spending or tampering with Local Government Council funds from Federation Account.
“The supreme Court further ordered that the money due to Local Governments be paid directly to them” he stated.
He said they disagreed with sections 13, 14 and 16 of the Anambra State Local Government Administration bill which is seeking to compel the Local Governments to pay their Federal allocation into an account to be established by the State Government, which runs foul of the Supreme Court judgement.
He also pointed out that going by the Supreme Court judgement, 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 equivocally stand with the overwhelming majority of Anambra people in upholding the constitution and the Supreme Court decision” he added.
The Labour Party members in attendance include
Hon. Jude Umennajiego (Onitsha South 2)
Hon. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North 2)
Hon. Mazi Paul Oby (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).
