Anambra YPP Governorship candidate, Mr. Paul Chukwuma
As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) governorship candidate for the November 8 Anambra election, Mr. Paul Chukwuma, issued a passionate call for genuine autonomy at the state and local government levels.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Awka, Chukwuma stressed that Nigeria’s dream of becoming a developed nation hinges on granting true operational independence to the country’s sub-national entities.
“We can’t build a prosperous Nigeria on a broken foundation,” he said. “Until states and local governments are allowed to function as the Constitution intends — as autonomous arms of governance — our progress will remain painfully slow.”
Chukwuma noted that the persistent underdevelopment Nigeria faces, even after 65 years of independence, is deeply rooted in the dysfunction at the state and LGA levels.
“We must stop treating Nigeria’s problems like abstract theories. The core issue is structural — development has been crippled at the grassroots,” he asserted.
According to the YPP candidate, empowering local governments and ensuring they receive direct access to their funds will not only strengthen democracy but also curb corruption and improve governance transparency.
Reflecting on his home state, he lamented that Anambra’s 21 LGAs have been reduced to mere administrative placeholders, lacking both autonomy and relevance in governance.
“These local governments are supposed to be closest to the people,” Chukwuma said. “But instead, they are treated as extensions of the state government — toothless and voiceless. That must change.”
He emphasized the urgent need for citizens, especially in Anambra, to demand accountability and structural reforms from their leaders.
“The truth is simple: we can’t fix Nigeria unless our governors are willing to fix their states and their local governments. The change must start from the bottom up,” he declared.
Chukwuma urged Anambra residents to rally behind the YPP in the upcoming election, promising that under his leadership, local governments would not only regain their autonomy but also become engines of development.
“If elected, we will restore the dignity and function of LGAs. They will have full access to their statutory allocations, and we will conduct regular, credible elections at the local level,” he assured.
He concluded by reaffirming YPP’s commitment to constitutional governance, institutional strengthening, and inclusive development.
“We’re offering Anambra a government driven by law, not politics. Our vision is clear — build strong institutions, empower the people, and let governance work from the ground up,” Chukwuma added.
