(DDM) – Dr. George Moghalu, the Labour Party’s candidate for the November 2025 Anambra governorship election, has pledged to uphold local government financial autonomy if elected.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Moghalu, in a widely circulated social media statement, assured residents that he would never interfere with local government allocations.
He stressed that his administration would only provide supervisory oversight to ensure funds are applied transparently and effectively at the grassroots.
Moghalu emphasized that local government autonomy is critical to sustainable development and vowed not to tamper with allocations “under any guise.”
His declaration comes at a time when Anambra, and Nigeria at large, are grappling with fresh controversies over the fate of local government funding.
The Supreme Court had issued a landmark ruling in July 2024, declaring that allocations must be sent directly to Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
The ruling further barred state governors from intercepting or withholding these funds, describing such practices as unconstitutional and damaging to federalism.
Despite this decision, Governor Charles Soludo’s administration enacted the Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024, reigniting political debate.
The law requires local governments to remit portions of their federal allocations into a state-controlled consolidated account.
Supporters of the law argue that it prevents financial abuse and ensures local councils meet statutory responsibilities such as pension obligations and joint projects.
Critics, however, have condemned the legislation as a deliberate reversal of the Supreme Court ruling on autonomy.
Civil society groups and grassroots advocates say the law undermines self-governance and deepens mistrust between the state and its local communities.
Against this backdrop, Moghalu’s campaign is positioning him as a champion of financial transparency and grassroots empowerment.
By promising non-interference, Moghalu hopes to gain support from rural communities, development activists, and federalist advocates.
Nationally, similar tensions are unfolding as state governments continue to challenge or reinterpret the autonomy ruling.
The Nigerian Senate and advocacy groups have openly criticized governors for trying to reintroduce joint account systems.
In the South-East, many observers argue that inadequate local government independence has stunted grassroots progress.
Billions of naira in federal allocations have allegedly been diverted by state authorities rather than reaching the intended local beneficiaries.
As the Anambra governorship election draws closer, the autonomy debate is expected to become a central campaign issue.
Moghalu’s pledge provides a sharp contrast to the Soludo administration’s current stance on the matter.
Analysts say the debate could influence voter turnout, particularly among communities that feel excluded from state-driven development.
Moghalu’s clear commitment to protecting LG funds appears aimed at convincing voters that grassroots democracy is safe in his hands.
Observers note that his message resonates strongly with the broader national call for financial independence at the local level.
The outcome of the November election could therefore serve as a test case for how much weight voters attach to the autonomy issue.
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