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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has expressed excitement over Supreme Court's decision on financial autonomy to the local governments in the country.
The Anambra State president of NULGE, Comrade Chikweli Adigwe said the autonomy would enhance efficiency and effectiveness in delivering public services and fostering grassroots development.
Addressing NULGE members during a rally at the union's secretariat in Awka, Adigwe emphasized that local governments had been "strangulated" by state governors, and had become unable to perform their functions due to constitutional lacuna.
The rally was a show of support for local government autonomy, with NULGE also calling for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIEC, and other structures deemed obstacles to true grassroots governance.
He blamed the country's insecurity on the lack of local government structure, noting that state governors cannot provide security to remote areas.
Adigwe extolled President Bola Tinubu, National Assembly members, and NULGE National President, Comrade Ambali Akeem for liberating local governments from backwardness and underdevelopment.
He urged Nigerians to support the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, Joint Account and Allocation Committee, and appointment of transition committee chairmen, which the court has deemed illegal and unconstitutional.
Also speaking, the state secretary of NULGE, Comrade Andrew Okolo, hailed the Supreme Court's judgement, describing it as a victory for good governance, rule of law, transparency, and accountability.
He said that the local government autonomy would bring democracy to the grassroots and enable them to manage their finances and improve constituents' lives.
Recall that the Supreme Court had last week stripped governors of financial control over local councils, stating
that it was wrong for a state government to retain and utilize local governments’ statutory allocations paid through them.
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