By Paul Nwosu
The Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet) has hailed Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, as “Mr Integrity and a promise keeper” for signing 11 Bills at a go into law, especially the Anambra Electoral Law in particular.
ACSONet is the foremost platform for citizens’ advocacy and good governance in Anambra State.
The leader of the group, Prince Chris Azor stated that the feat by Mr. Governor was “unprecedented and humongous”. According to Prince Azor, “Such has never been experienced in the governance epoch of the State – having eleven developmental Bills signed in one day. This shows unwavering commitment to the rule of law and good governance. It’s highly commendable.”
Recall that Governor Soludo, made history on Tuesday, June 11, when he signed into law, 11 landmark bills passed by the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly.
The signed bills are as follows: Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024; Anambra State Touting Prohibition Law, 2024; Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law, 2024; Health Facilities and Accreditation Agency Law, 2024; Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency; Anambra State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (ANSOGPADEC) Law, 2024; Market Safety and Protection Law, 2024; Trafficking in Person Prohibition Law, 2024; Anambra State Private Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Law, 2024; Law to Amend the Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Law 2021 and for other Connected Purposes; Anambra State Revenue Administration (Consolidation and Harmonization) Law, 2024.
This marked the first time an Anambra State Governor is signing into law a private member bill. In the light of a Governor who pledged to uphold the rule of law, Soludo is walking his talk steadfastly.
Everything Mr. Governor is undertaking is in tandem with _The Soludo Solution: A Peoples Manifesto for a Greater Anambra._
It is indeed remarkable that the first among the newly signed laws is the Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024. Governor Soludo stated that Ndi-Anambra have been waiting for this law, adding that it has been finally delivered. He pointed out that it would lay the foundation for organizing and conducting the local government election.
For Soludo, the Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024 is a promise made and a promise kept. He noted that the extant law met by his administration was rickety, stressing that his team has taken pains to make a law that is in tune with the times.
In the words of Mr. Governor, “We will subsequently set up the electoral commission. When they are done, they will announce the date and time for the election.”
The Speaker of the 8th Anambra House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze added his own voice for good measure this way: “While we gasp on the euphoria of the 11 bills signed into law by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, this is to also inform us all that on the same day, the 8th Assembly also passed into law the Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Bill, 2024. This is a bill for a law to provide for the Management, Protection and Sustainability of the Environment in Anambra State, and for connected purposes. Our approach to legislation in the 8th Assembly has been to bring the radical change and disruptive innovation in governance through legislation and oversight functions. I want to appreciate my Honorable colleagues in a special way for their dedication and hard work”.
PAUL NWOSU
Commissioner for Information
Anambra State