By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 6, 2021 Anambra governorship election, Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, has decried the neglect and abuse of the local government system.

She cited certain ambiguities that exist in Nigeria’s constitution which allow for state governments to annex and treat local governments as their operational extensions.

Speaking at the second session of the fourth synod of the Anglican Diocese of Niger West held Nando, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Onyemelukwe observed that such loopholes have rendered the federal system dysfunctional.

“Such instruments always fall short of the mark because of their inferiority to the Constitution which stands supreme to all other laws,” she added.

She wondered why a section of government which was created as autonomous governance structures should be made to be dependent on state leadership.

According to her, any meaningful approach to the issue must come through a rigorous constitutional amendment process.

Onyemelukwe however said her government, if elected, will guarantee local government autonomy by holding local government elections within its first year in office.

The daughter of First Republic vice President, Alex Ekwueme, hailed the Federal Government for adopting legal instruments such as; Executive Bills, Executive Orders and Guidelines issued by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies of successive administrations to correct the anomaly.