Anambra PDP Welcomes Supreme Court Judgment On LG Funds
The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra has commended the supreme court judgment which directed that Local Government allocations from the Federation account should be remitted directly to them.
Chief Chigozie Igwe, Chairman of PDP in Anambra said this in an interview in Awka.
Igwe said it will address the refusal and reluctance of some state governments to conduct council elections.
He said it will take development and increase democratic participation at the grassroots when council elections are conducted as well as increase awareness among the people which will make them hold officials responsible.
“The judgement is a welcome development for democracy, we are happy for it because the ruling party has been doing all they could to kill the local government system in Anambra.
“Our problem in Nigeria lies with rural development and this can not take place without the independence at the local government area level through a duly elected administration.
“The ruling party in Anambra has been doing all they can to kill the local government system in Anambra but this judgement is a good starting point to it to come alive,” he said.
Igwe called on the Federal Government to ensure that the funds accruing to the councils were not trapped unaccessed because of absence of elected council officials.
He called on the Anambra government to conduct election at the local government council election and allow the people of the state to enjoy the benefits of the judgement.
“What this means is that money have been sent back to the people at the grassroots, so people should come down to that level and campaign, tell the people what they want to do for them.
“The judgement will not affect the rate at which people want to be governors, those who want to be governors will pursue their ambition because they have what it takes to be governors not because they want to brag with allocations of Local Government,” he said.
