The representative for Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has criticized Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to disregard calls for elections and unilaterally appoint a new set of Local Government Transition Committee members as absurd, undemocratic, abuse of power, and detrimental to the development goals of the people of Anambra.
In a statement issued in Awka on Sunday, May 19, 2024, the federal lawmaker responded to the communication between the governor’s office and the local government chairmen of the Governor’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The communication requested interested individuals within the party to submit their CVs through the party’s LGA chairmen for consideration for appointment to the Transition Committee.
Ogene, who serves as the Labour Party’s House of Reps’ Caucus Leader, pointed out, “Governor Soludo has a history of replacing LGA Transition Committee members every three months, a practice he has repeated seven times since taking office in 2022. If another change is made this month, it will mark the 8th time in his two years as governor.
“To me, this would be a dishonorable record for a democratically elected governor. This authoritarian style of leadership, which plays with the fate, goals, and wishes of the grassroots, must be opposed and not permitted to hinder the development potential of the LGAs.
“The local government should be the most crucial level of government, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, as it is not only the level closest to the people but also the foundation of both the subnational and federal government. It should not be subject to the whims of state governors.”
“The undemocratic practice of appointing LGA administrators rather than holding democratic elections fosters impunity, lacks democratic accountability, and hampers transparency in the local governments and the state as a whole. Those appointed tend to prioritize personal interests during their short time in office. This does not aid in managing scarce resources or fostering LGA development.”
Hon. Ogene further questioned, “How can a Transition Committee chairman formulate and implement a meaningful development plan within three months? Isn’t it concerning that Governor Soludo, a prominent economist, is endorsing this charade despite economic indicators pointing to decreasing economic and social conditions in rural areas due to reduced government development activities?
“Why is Governor Soludo hesitant to conduct elections in the LGAs, as promised during his campaign and in accordance with the desires of the grassroots and constitutional provisions? It is worth noting that other states, such as Delta, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, and Akwa Ibom, hold elections at the third tier of government, regardless of imperfections. Why then does Governor Soludo appoint and dismiss LGA administrators as if they are disposable?”
In the meantime, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, the Senate accused state governors of misusing funds allocated to local government councils in Nigeria, stating that the local government system was virtually non-existent in the country due to the excessive powers wielded by state governors over the LGAs.
The Senate urged the federal government to halt further funding to local government areas led by caretaker committees and called on President Bola Tinubu to take the lead in advocating for full autonomy for local governments in the country.
These Senate resolutions followed a motion put forth by Senator Suleiman Kawu of NNPP, representing Kano South.
From: Nwakaji Peace Martins
