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Soludo Faces Legal Threat Over Alleged Moves to Undermine Local Government Autonomy

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The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has signalled its readiness to challenge any move by Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, or other state governors, to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy for local councils. The union warned on Thursday that it would not hesitate to seek redress in court if any governors attempt to introduce legislation that undermines the direct allocation of funds to Local Government Areas (LGAs).

NULGE’s National President, Hakeem Ambali, issued this warning following reports that Soludo is working to frustrate the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment, which granted full financial and administrative autonomy to LGAs. The governor is accused of backing a controversial bill passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly earlier this week, which critics argue could allow the state government to share in local government funds, thereby limiting the councils’ financial independence.

Civil society groups and opposition lawmakers, including members of the Labour Party, have condemned the bill as an attempt to erode grassroots governance by allowing the state to divert federal allocations meant for local councils. Henry Mbachu, a Labour Party lawmaker, warned that the bill threatens to derail local governance by creating a joint account that undermines the autonomy enshrined in the court’s ruling.

Governor Soludo, however, has defended the legislation, insisting that it complies with the law and does not violate the Supreme Court’s ruling. He challenged critics to pursue legal action if they believed otherwise.

The Senate has also weighed in on the issue, expressing concerns over the growing trend of governors attempting to bypass the Supreme Court’s judgment. On Wednesday, it reaffirmed its support for the ruling and called for full compliance by all tiers of government. The Senate urged both the federal and state governments to respect the decision, which was intended to ensure that local councils have control over their finances, free from interference.

NULGE, meanwhile, has called on President Bola Tinubu and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi to intervene, accusing Soludo of attempting to sabotage grassroots development by withholding funds meant for local councils. Ambali stressed that no governor is above the law and warned that the union would take legal action if necessary.

“This act of illegality is condemnable, and Governor Soludo should be called to order,” Ambali said. “NULGE will not rule out court action, and we urge the Federal Government to be proactive by withholding LG funds from governors who violate the law.”

The conflict in Anambra reflects a broader struggle between state governors and local councils over financial control, with similar moves reportedly under consideration in other states. While some states, like Ogun and Bayelsa, have maintained compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, NULGE is closely monitoring developments to ensure that local councils retain their autonomy.

The Federal Government has also taken steps to enforce the court’s ruling, forming a committee to oversee the implementation of local government autonomy across Nigeria. The Supreme Court had ruled that the practice of state governments controlling LGA funds through joint accounts was unconstitutional, directing the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure direct payments to local councils.

As the standoff between governors and local councils intensifies, civil society organisations and legal experts have urged the states to respect the rule of law, warning that any attempt to bypass the court’s ruling could lead to chaos. “The courts are the last hope of everyone,” said senior lawyer Yusuf Ali (SAN). “Governors must remember that they owe their positions to court judgments. Undermining the courts is a dangerous path.”

The issue is likely to remain contentious as state governments grapple with the implications of the ruling, while NULGE and other stakeholders vow to defend local government autonomy at all costs.

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