By Hassanat Adebowale
An Anambra State High Court in Awka has dismissed a case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) challenging the Local Government Autonomy bill passed by the State House of Assembly. The judgment, delivered by Justice Jude Okafor on Tuesday evening, has prompted both parties to announce plans to appeal the decision.
Speaking to journalists, APC counsel Chukwunoso Chuwuba expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, stating that the party would challenge it at the Appeal Court. He argued that the judgment was not in line with a Supreme Court decision on local government financial autonomy.
The Anambra State House of Assembly enacted the Local Government Administration Bill 2024 following the September 27, 2024, local government election. The bill faced strong opposition from APC and LP lawmakers, as well as civil society groups, who argued that it circumvented a Supreme Court ruling from July 11, 2024. The ruling mandated that funds allocated to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas be deposited directly into their accounts rather than through state-controlled joint accounts.
Opposition parties, including APC and LP, accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of attempting to financially weaken Anambra’s 21 local government areas. They challenged the bill in court, arguing that it undermined local government financial autonomy.
Reacting to the court’s dismissal of their case, Chuwuba reiterated the APC’s intention to appeal. He stated, “We are not satisfied with the ruling as it is not in tandem with the Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy, and we are therefore challenging the process at the appeal court.”
Labour Party’s lead counsel, Chijioke Akirika, also expressed surprise at the court’s decision. He argued that the Anambra State House of Assembly’s law contradicted the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. Akirika emphasized that the Labour Party would seek instructions to appeal the matter, aiming to expand the contest of jurisprudence.
The opposition parties remain determined to challenge the legislation, which they believe undermines the principles of transparency and accountability in local governance.
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