Barrister Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, the Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), expressed mixed feelings regarding the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Nigeria.
In an interview with ABS in the Anambra West Local Government Area, Barrister Obi-Okoye acknowledged the political excitement surrounding the need for local government autonomy. However, he cautioned that independence and autonomy do not inherently guarantee progress and development for local governments.
The APGA Chairman questioned the financial viability of many local government areas, highlighting their reliance on internally generated revenues and the support of state governments.
Barrister Obi-Okoye emphasized that the joint account system, where local governments and states operate together, facilitates seamless functioning by ensuring equitable distribution of wealth, as seen in Anambra State.
He stressed that while the Supreme Court’s ruling is now law and must be respected, it could pose challenges for future administration.
