Ohanaeze Slams Governors: Accuses Them Of Arm-Twisting Chairmen, Urges Tinubu To Stop LG Fund Withholding

In a statement issued by factional Secretary-General Okechukwu Isiguzoro on Sunday, Ohanaeze condemned the governors’ actions as an “egregious affront to democracy” and a violation of the autonomy of local government councils. The statement criticized the governors for “colluding to divert resources meant for the development of grassroots communities” and undermining local governance.

Isiguzoro expressed alarm over the governors’ disregard for a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted full administrative and financial autonomy to local councils, accusing them of exploiting their offices to oppress the 774 local governments in the country.

“The imposition of puppet chairmen, manipulation through state electoral commissions, and attempts to circumvent Supreme Court decisions are assaults on democracy,” Isiguzoro said. He specifically criticized the Anambra State House of Assembly for passing the “Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024,” which he claimed forces local governments to remit federal allocations to state-controlled accounts.

Ohanaeze expressed deep disappointment in Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, calling for the withdrawal of the bill, warning it could damage his chances in the 2025 gubernatorial elections.

The group called on President Tinubu to take immediate action by withholding local government funds from any state that continues these unlawful practices, starting in October 2024.