LP Caucus Frowns At Soludo’s Proposed Joint State, LG Account Law

The Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly has expressed disapproval over Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo’s proposed joint State and Local Government account law.

This move is seen as circumventing the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government financial autonomy.

The Caucus leader, Senator Tony Nwoye at a media Conference urged the Anambra State House of Assembly to reject the bill which is currently at the committee stage.

The Federal lawmakers who spoke in turns, argued that the proposed law contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment and the 1999 Constitution.

Specifically, they criticized Clauses 13, 14, and 17, which stipulate the creation of a State Joint Local Government Account, Local Government Consolidated Account, and Local Government Joint Security Trust Account.

These clauses are seen as undermining Local Government autonomy.

Senator Nwoye who decried the ravaging insecurity situation across the State, queried the rationale for the proposed 20 percent deduction from the Federal Allocation to Local Government as proposed in the bill.

He maintained that Governor Soludo should withdraw the obnoxious legislation now as its a slap on Anambra, it’s a slap to the rule of law, it’s a slap to Federal Republic of Nigeria especially the person of record in his own right, because the Attorney General initiate the action on behalf of the Federal Government, it’s a slap on constitutional democracy and our judiciary because it’s the apex law in the land which the law overrides any other law.

On his part, Minority Deputy Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi who noted that the State Governor is challenging Federal government and the Attorney General of the Federation over their recent approval, urged Governor Soludo to withdraw the proposed bill without further delay..

While urging Governor Charles Soludo to retrace his steps, Leader of the Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Ogene said: “While we are urging the Governor to do the needful by withdrawing the proposed bill that he has sent, we are also calling on members of Anambra State House of Assembly to be mindful of the judgement of history.

“We humbly call on Anambra State Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo especially Anambra State House of Assembly to adhere to the appeal of Hon Justice Moore Adumein JSC in the above judgement at page 22 wherein he held: ‘It is becoming worrisome that some Legislative Assemblies make Laws that take only the interest of some privileged people into consideration and not the overall interests of the general public.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji‏