By Ikemefuna Asika
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 Government and was passed into law today 8th October, 2024 by the Assembly.
The Labour Party caucus members led by Hon. Jude Umennajiego, representing Onitsha South 2, made this known today while addressing journalists at the Assembly complex.
They maintained that 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.
They pointed out that the Supreme court made far reaching decisions in their 11th of July, 2024 judgement in 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.
“It further ordered that the money due to Local Governments be paid directly to them” they stated.
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.
They 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.
They therefore equivocally stand with the overwhelming majority of Anambra people in upholding the constitution and the Supreme Court decision.
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).
