CSO Knocks Soludo Over LG Caretaker Appointments

A civil society organisation (CSO), Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet), has condemned the continued running of local government areas with caretaker committees in Anambra State.

Its chairman, Prince Chris Azor, expressed disappointment over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s submission of a new list of selected people to the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation to run the 21 LGAs of the state for another three-month tenure.

The CSO leader told newsmen yesterday in Awka shortly after the screening of the transition committee members that the arrangement was anti-democratic and was retarding development at the local government level.

Azor said, “We feel worried and apprehensive about the present developments. This doesn’t bode well for democracy and sustainable development.”

Soludo had on June 11, 2024, signed the Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024, with a promise to start the process of conducting local government elections.

But Azor argued that the governor might have nominated the new transition committees to avoid a likely vacuum, but advised that he should expedite and conduct the council poll before the expiration of the TC members to avoid the appointment of another group.

He said, “Much as we condemn this action, in the spirit of partnership, we implore the Governor to make this the last transition to a guaranteed democracy at the local government level, as enshrined in section 7(1), 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic (as amended).”