Prominent APC chieftain, Pharmacist Chinedu Ikeagwuonwu Klinsmann, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what he describes as Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s attempts to undermine the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Klinsmann’s remarks follow the controversial enactment of the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024, which he and other experts claim contradicts the Supreme Court’s directive affirming the autonomy of local governments.
In a statement released today, Klinsmann warned that if Governor Soludo’s actions go unchecked, they could set a dangerous precedent that would threaten the autonomy of local governments nationwide.
“If Soludo’s scheme succeeds, we will be back to square one, and local governments will once again fall under the stranglehold of state governors,” he asserted.
Klinsmann urged Nigerians to unite against any governor attempting to diminish local government autonomy, labeling such actions as hostile to the public interest.
“Any governor who seeks to contravene the Supreme Court’s judgment on LG autonomy is an enemy of the people,” he declared.
The APC chieftain emphasized the critical importance of local government autonomy for grassroots development, urging citizens to protest against any perceived encroachment.
“This is where a significant solution to Nigeria’s developmental problems lies,” he stated, advocating for a mass mobilization if necessary.
He reminded Governor Soludo that the Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered in July 2024 by Justice Emmanuel Agim, is final and binding.
The ruling mandated that local governments receive their funds directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation, nullifying the practice of state governments controlling these allocations through joint accounts.
Describing Soludo’s new law as “ultra vires” and a blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Klinsmann characterized it as a deliberate attempt to weaken the financial independence of Anambra’s local governments. He expressed concern that such a law could erode progress made in local governance reforms.
Klinsmann elaborated on the implications of the Supreme Court’s July ruling, which he said eliminates governors’ control over local government funds and mandates that local governments must be run by elected officials rather than political appointees. He called for heightened vigilance among citizens to hold state governors accountable for their actions.
Addressing concerns over potential corruption at the local government level, Klinsmann suggested empowering Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to oversee local government operations and ensure accountability.
In response to Governor Soludo’s assertions that his new law does not contravene the Supreme Court’s judgment, Klinsmann argued that any attempt to maintain a joint account system is a clear violation of the court’s ruling. He reiterated that the Supreme Court’s decision demands a shift towards direct funding for local governments, emphasizing the need for a progressive interpretation of the law.
“What Soludo is doing is an affront to the autonomy of the 21 local governments in Anambra State,” Klinsmann declared. He urged President Tinubu and the Federal Government to ensure immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling across all states, warning that failure to do so could hinder national development and essential service delivery.
“Nigerians must resist any attempt by state governors to hijack local government autonomy. Our local governments are our lifeblood, and their independence is non-negotiable,” Klinsmann concluded.
“The Supreme Court has spoken, and no degree of argument can overrule its decision.”
