Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has emphasized that serving as a governor in Nigeria today is fraught with challenges, particularly regarding the management of local government funds.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Soludo sought to clarify the recently introduced State Economic Planning and Development Law 2024 and the Local Government Administration Law 2024.
Soludo acknowledged the pervasive allegations against governors concerning the control and mismanagement of local government funds.
In a society where public office is seen as a dining table and public trust is low, people judge others by their own standards; by what they would do if they were in the position. I often ask: control for what?” he stated, expressing frustration over the assumptions that often accompany discussions about local governance.
The governor pointed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed local government autonomy as a significant opportunity for improved transparency, coordination, and collaboration between state and local governments.
He revealed that this judgment catalyzed the formulation of new laws aimed at ensuring proper appropriation and accountability of funds transferred to local governments.
