ABUJA – The coordinator of civil society organizations, Cornelius Ajagbe, on Friday, raised alarm over what he described as
contemptuous and subversive acts of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, accusing him of disobeying Supreme Court judgements.
The coalition comprises of Save Nigeria Democracy Group (SNDG), Nigerian Democratic Movement, Civil Disobedience Institute, Campaign for Greater Nigeria, No Alternative to Peace Initiative, and Advancement of Freedom and Rights of Citizens, was led by Cornelius Ajagbe, Valentine Isuku, Maxwell Owobokiri and Ephraim Aintonje.
Ajagbe, who is also the Coordinator of Save Nigerian Democracy Group (SNDG) said apart from the flaggrant disobedience of s Court judgements, the group alleged that the Governor has involved himself in acts that constitute an affront on President Bola Tinubu.
The CSOs expressed dismay that despite spirited attempts to navigate Nigeria away from its current economic and financial quagmire by the Tinubu administration, some persons in Anambra State are hellbent on scuttling responsive policies initiated by the Federal Government.
In a statement, Ajagbe wondered why, despite the Presidency’s support for the Supreme Court, which had in a landmark judgment given full financial autonomy to the Local Government Councils, the Anambra State Governor went ahead to enact anti LG financial autonomy laws in the State.
“To mitigate Governor Soludo’s ambush against President Tinubu and the Supreme Court, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu created a new Directorate and appointed Lami Chinade, as Director of the State Liaison Directorate in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“Primarily, the purpose is to ensure that LG funds are not tempered with under any guise.
“Regrettably, rather than face the insecurity issues in Anambra, it is baffling that the Anambra State Government feels the third tier of government should not exist.
“More worrisome is the fact that he could muster the courage to state that granting financial autonomy to the LG Councils would lead to chaos.
“Soludo’s self-concession and narcissistic demeanor are the reason why he sees himself as all-knowing. Hence, even the Supreme Court Judgement should be subject to his pettiness” Ajagbe said.
Describing the governor’s dis dain for the Presidency as “legendary”, the Coalition recalled how the State government
wasted resources “in a fruitless attempt to rewrite the Supreme Court Judgment on APGA leadership against Chief Edozie Njoku who has been serially and countlessly declared the rightful National Chairman of APGA”.
Ajagbe claimed that Governor Soludo’s inability to accept defeat on APGA leadership issue, “has tamed his ego and exposes him as a man in perpetual pursuit of selfish and self-serving interests.
“While the global economy isn’t at its best, it is pertinent to note that President Tinubu willfully decided to take 10 percent from the federation account, whilst leaving the States with 90 percent.
“This is contrary to what we are used to before now. Ordinarily, this move should propel State Governors to look away from the LG funds.
“Despite all these gestures by the Presidency, some Governors have their eyes stuck on LG funds.
“This insatiable greed and the brazenness to bring down the law to achieve this impunity is what we are up against.
“The posters you see around; the 3 Arms Zone, Maitama Roundabout, Federal Secretariat, Bannex Axis, Transcorp Junction etc, are a civil way to express our angst against the resolve of some Governors to hold down the development at the LG” the Coalition stated. END.
Read the full article here
