LG autonomy, only way for sustainable democracy – Sen Anyanwu

The PDP governorship candidate in the November 11th 2023 election Imo State, Senator Samuel Anyanwu has described the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court on Thursday granting full autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria as the only way to sustain democracy in Nigeria.

Anyanwu said this on Friday in a statement issued in Owerri by his Special Adviser Media, Ikenna Onuoha.

He said: “The judgement is a big disappointment to corrupt Governors and public officer holders in Nigeria who rely on the local governments’ allocation to enrich themselves. This judgement should be commended by anyone who believes in the advancement and promotion of democracy”.

According to him, the judgement of the apex court is long overdue, adding that now that it has finally come, any legitimate state Governor who fails to conduct local government election within a stipulated time stands the risk of denying his people the opportunity of accessing the monthly allocation.

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Anyanwu expressed delight that the verdict will close various gaps dubiously created by corrupt public officeholders to deliberately rely on the vacuum as a conduit pipe to drain the resources of the state.

He recalled that the Supreme Court in Section 162(5) overruled paying to local councils through state accounts, adding that paying of monthly allocation will be done directly to the LGA accounts for accountability and probity.

The National Secretary of PDP further recalls that the landmark judgement is in line with his vision to Make Imo Safe Again by giving LGA Chairmen the free hand to develop their areas through funds available to them without interference.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE