Gov Alex Otti 


The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Council, has raised alarm over a proposed bill sponsored by Abia State Governor Alex Otti to  the Abia State House of Assembly seeking to subvert the financial autonomy to LGAs granted by the Supreme Court judgement.


The contentious bill seeks to divert 90% of the statutory allocations designated for LGAs to the State Government, leaving only 10% for the LGAs


The NLC in  a strongly worded letter addressed to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly,  described the bill as “obnoxious” and a direct violation of the recent Supreme Court ruling. The ruling, handed down on 11th July 2024, grants financial autonomy to LGAs, thereby ensuring their ability to function independently of State interference. The NLC is concerned that the  bill is an attempt to bypass that judgment.


The letter emphasized that passing the bill would not only infringe upon the autonomy of the LGAs but also impede rural development, which is crucial for fostering growth at the grassroots level. According to the NLC, such a move would spell disaster for the Local Governments, leaving them unable to fulfill their mandates of providing services and infrastructure to the people.


The NLC described the bill as “anti-people” and “anti-development,” warning that it represents a dangerous encroachment on the constitutional rights of LGAs to manage their own funds. The union urged the Speaker and other members of the Assembly to reject the bill in its entirety, stressing that passing it would not only undermine the Supreme Court judgment but also adversely affect the rural areas and local governance.


The letter also issued a stern reminder of the potential legal consequences for any lawmakers who support the bill, citing that the Supreme Court judgment prescribes jail terms for those who attempt to circumvent its ruling.


In a personal appeal to the Speaker, the NLC acknowledged his vibrant political future and urged him not to be misled by the state government. “The judgment prescribes jail terms for whosoever will circumvent the judgment. The choice is yours. Accordingly, we strongly urge you, in the interest of moral decency and in keeping with your political future, to reject this bill.”


The NLC’s intervention comes at a critical time for Abia State, as the State government has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of local government funds and its commitment to upholding the principles of local autonomy. The outcome of this legislative debate will be keenly watched, as it holds significant implications for the future of local governance in the State.