CALABAR – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed utter displeasure and dis-affection with the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) for the hasty passage of the Local Government Amendment Bill 2025.
According to a press release signed by Prince Mike Ojisi, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP on Monday, the party condemned the legislative approach, describing it as a “direct contradiction of the Supreme Court’s judgment on Local Government Autonomy and an orchestrated scheme to arm-twist, emasculate, and misappropriate local government resources.”
“Despite widespread public condemnation, the House proceeded with the bill, defending her actions by wrongly relying on Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which merely empowers states to enact laws for local government administration, but not to undermine their autonomy or divert their funds.
“The PDP identifies several draconian and exploitative provisions within the bill, which place an unbearable financial burden on the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Cross River State. These include:
– Expansion of statutory political appointees under each Local Government Chairman from 25 to 50 persons, thereby increasing the financial strain on already underfunded councils.
– Unauthorised monthly deduction of 1% for House of Assembly “oversight functions.”
– 0.5% deduction for the State Community and Social Development Agency
– 1% deduction for funding the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), despite the state government’s primary responsibility for higher education funding
– 0.5% deduction for the Office of the State Auditor General, ₦1 million mandatory monthly contribution from each LGA to the Cross River State Reserve Fund
– 4% deduction for the Cross River State Road Maintenance Agency, a responsibility that should be handled by the state government, not the local councils.
“The Peoples Democratic Party sees this law as an evil plot by the Otu-led APC administration to plunder resources meant for grassroots development. The party categorically states that:
~ The financial autonomy of LGAs is sacrosanct and must not be subjected to the manipulative whims of the state government.
~ The hasty passage and signing of this law reveal a desperate attempt to siphon local government funds for political patronage ahead of the 2025 local government elections.
~ The people of Cross River State must resist this oppressive, anti-development, and unconstitutional law through all legal and democratic means.
~ The PDP, therefore, alerts the good people of Cross River State and the entire nation to this daylight robbery of local government funds under the guise of legislative amendments.
“The party remains committed to protecting democracy, defending local government autonomy, and ensuring that public resources are used for grassroots development rather than political enrichment,” the statement added.
