From Magnus Eze, Abuja
Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) yesterday said Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Edward Ubosi, supported its struggle for local government autonomy, in the National Assembly’s amendment of the Constitution.
NULGE President, Ibrahim Khaleel disclosed that the duo gave their backing for the autonomy when he led the leadership of the union and its members across the five South East states on a sensitisation rally for local government autonomy in Enugu.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, on return from the rally, Khaleel said Ugwuanyi received them at the Government House, Enugu and briefly attended the rally at the Michael Okpara Square where he assured that having voted for local government autonomy when he was a member of the Seventh National Assembly, he would also support it any day and at any time.
Quoting the governor, he said: “I want to assure and reassure you, I share in your belief, I share in your dream because that is the best way to go. If truly we respect democracy, we should obey the law. Any day, any time, I will support local government autonomy.
“I have voted for it in the past and I will stand by it. The local government is the most important tier of government because it is the closest to the people. It is by being democratic that we will get best development for our people at the grassroots.”
Speaker, Enugu House of Assembly, who also spoke said the house stands with NULGE, and will vote in favour of local government autonomy at the right time.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Donatus Uzoagbado said it was no more time to talk, but time to work.
He also advised NULGE leadership to also visit other South East states to meet with their colleagues and mobilize them for the task ahead.