Chinedu Ikeagwuonwu Klinsmann has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step in following what he describes as blatant efforts by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to bypass the Supreme Court’s pivotal ruling on Local Government (LG) Autonomy.
Klinsmann’s call for action comes in the wake of the contentious signing of the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024, which has drawn criticism from numerous legal and policy experts as a direct challenge to the autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court.
In a formal statement, Klinsmann warned that if Governor Soludo’s actions go unchecked, it could set a perilous precedent for other governors, jeopardizing the advancements made by both the Federal Government and the Supreme Court in ensuring full autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“If Soludo’s plan is permitted to succeed, we will regress to a time where local governments are again subjugated by state governors,” Klinsmann asserted.
He urged all Nigerians to unite and actively oppose any governor attempting to undermine the autonomy of local governments, emphasizing that such efforts warrant strong resistance.
“Any governor who tries to violate the Supreme Court’s ruling on LG autonomy is an adversary of the people and should be treated accordingly,” Klinsmann stated.
He reiterated that LG autonomy is a pivotal issue for the nation, affecting grassroots development and the daily lives of citizens. He argued that Nigerians must be prepared to protest vigorously, even at great personal risk, as the autonomy of local governments holds the key to addressing many of Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
Klinsmann reminded Governor Soludo that no matter how “clever” his arguments may seem, the Supreme Court’s ruling is definitive and must be upheld.
“The July 2024 ruling by Justice Emmanuel Agim explicitly mandated that local governments receive their funding directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation, without interference from state authorities. This ruling has rendered the traditional practice of state governments controlling LG funds through joint accounts illegal and unconstitutional,” Klinsmann explained.
He stressed that no state legislation, including the newly signed Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024, can supersede the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Describing Soludo’s law as “ultra vires” and a blatant infringement of the Supreme Court’s decision, he declared, “Soludo’s actions exemplify impunity. This is a deliberate attempt to undermine the financial independence of Anambra’s local governments, and it must be opposed at all costs.”
