40 Bills, Landmark Reforms, Rare Harmony: Anambra 8th Assembly Celebrates 3 Years of Impact

Anambra State commissioner for information Dr Law Mefor and former lawmaker Chief Ejiofor Egwuatu

Mimi Chiadikaobi

The Anambra State 8th House of Assembly on Friday marked its third anniversary amid widespread commendation from stakeholders, who praised the legislature for its purposeful lawmaking and productive relationship with the executive and judicial arms of government.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, described the working relationship among the three arms of government in the state as exemplary and worthy of emulation.
Mefor, who said it was his first time attending the Assembly’s anniversary celebration, described the event as colourful, well-organised, and meticulously executed.
According to him, Anambra State is making steady progress because Governor Prof. Charles Soludo has created a level playing field for the executive, legislature, and judiciary, thereby fostering a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship among the three arms of government.
He noted that the existing harmony among the arms of government reflects a shared commitment to the development of Anambra State above partisan interests.
“The relationship among the three arms of government demonstrates that they understand one fundamental principle: Anambra comes first. They are practising the politics of development rather than partisan politics,” he said.
Mefor further stated that the legislature has remained effective and independent in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities because it enjoys full financial autonomy through the timely release of its annual budgetary allocations.
He urged other state governments across the country to emulate Governor Soludo’s approach to granting financial autonomy to the legislature, noting that it has enhanced the Assembly’s independence, efficiency, and effectiveness.
“The governor is not flexing muscles with either the legislature or the judiciary. He releases their appropriations promptly and in full, creating room for independence, innovation, and developmental initiatives.
“One of the ways a governor can undermine other arms of government is by withholding their financial allocations, thereby weakening their capacity to discharge their constitutional duties and compelling them to operate at his pace.
“I listened to the Speaker’s account of stewardship, and he revealed that the 8th Assembly has passed over 40 bills, with nearly half already assented to by the governor.
“Two of the most significant laws assented to are critical to the growth and development of the state. One is the Local Government Administration Law, which provides a legal framework for effective local governance in the era of local government autonomy. The law is already yielding positive results across the state.
“Today, mayors are constructing roads, empowering youths and women through various skills acquisition programmes, and opening up their local government areas because they now enjoy financial autonomy.
“Another landmark legislation is the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025, which established a new governance and security architecture for the state. The law has significantly transformed the security landscape and improved public safety,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the state has enjoyed relative peace and stability for more than a year since the implementation of the Homeland Security Law.
He disclosed that recent security breaches recorded in the state were perpetrated by unpatriotic elements but assured that the government remained firmly on top of the situation.
Mefor described the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, as a strategic thinker and a practitioner of development-oriented politics who prioritises the progress of the state above political affiliations.
According to him, despite the presence of opposition lawmakers from other political parties, the Speaker has successfully built consensus around issues of common interest to the people of Anambra.
He also commended opposition members of the Assembly for embracing a collaborative approach to governance and supporting initiatives aimed at advancing the state’s development.
“That spirit of cooperation is a true reflection of the Anambra character, where collective progress takes precedence over partisan considerations,” he said.
The commissioner further praised Governor Soludo for granting financial autonomy to both the legislature and judiciary, describing the move as a major factor behind the improved performance of the institutions.
He added that the governor has consistently provided the necessary support to enable the legislature and judiciary to function effectively while maintaining the principle of checks and balances.
According to him, the cordial relationship among the three arms of government is possible because the governor releases their full annual appropriations rather than disbursing funds in piecemeal fashion.
Also speaking, Chief Ejiofor Egwuatu, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011 and former Chairman of the House Committee on Information and State Orientation, said the 8th Assembly had lived up to expectations and sustained the legislative legacy of its predecessors.
He specifically commended the Assembly for passing the law regulating the real estate sector, noting that the legislation has become necessary to protect residents from fraudulent practices and unregulated property transactions.
“The real estate regulation law is a landmark legislation. Without it, individuals and companies could exploit the system and take advantage of unsuspecting citizens,” he said.
Egwuatu also described the Homeland Security Law as a transformative piece of legislation and commended both the Speaker and Governor Soludo for working harmoniously in the interest of the state.
He urged Ndi Anambra to continue supporting the lawmakers and the state government to enable them to deliver more democratic dividends and accelerate the state’s development.