A faction within the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State, has issued a passionate appeal to local government workers, urging them to return to their posts in the interest of public welfare and their professional rights.
Lamenting the prolonged withdrawal of services, the faction described the ongoing shutdown as an act of “irresponsibility and sheer wickedness,” emphasizing that the suspension of local government operations has inflicted undue hardship on citizens who depend on essential services.
Under the banner of the Association of Concerned Local Government Staff in Osun State, these workers assert that their careers and financial entitlements cannot continue to be sacrificed over what they deem an unnecessary and politically motivated standoff.
Accusations of Nepotism and Constitutional Violations
During a press briefing at the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo, the faction’s State Coordinator, Adedayo Adekunle, and Secretary, Akin Adepoju, launched a scathing attack on Osun NULGE President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe. They accused him of nepotism, constitutional breaches, and autocratic leadership, particularly concerning the directive to shut down local government offices.
According to the faction’s leaders: “Our dear colleagues and patriots, a clarion call summons us today to review the ongoing events in our state. The leadership of NULGE, Osun State, has wrongly and selfishly pitched our union against the people of the state in total disregard of our core values and principles. It is unfortunate that the union has been reduced to a personal empire, with its leadership trampling on our collective structure at all levels.”
They further alleged that Dr. Ogungbangbe singlehandedly signed a directive to close all local government secretariats, maternity centers, and marriage registries an action they claim was taken without consulting the general Congress of local government workers.
A Shutdown with Double Standards?
The faction questioned the integrity of the shutdown, pointing out that while the NULGE president claimed local government offices were unsafe, he allegedly conveniently reopened them for his re-election, manipulated the process, and secured a second term.
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“Despite his claim that local governments were unsafe for staff, he reopened them for his election. No incidents of violence or insecurity were recorded. Social parties were even held during the day and night to celebrate his victory. Yet, maternity centers remained locked, leaving women and children in distress. Essential services have been paralyzed, and the public has been unjustly denied access to critical documents such as marriage certificates and local government identifications.”
The faction expressed outrage that even workers awaiting study leave approvals and those in dire need of their cooperative loan deductions have been left stranded due to what they termed an “illegal withdrawal of services.”
Call to Action: Resume Work Immediately
Reaffirming their commitment to public service delivery beyond political affiliations, the faction urged all local government workers to resume duty immediately.
“Our oath, culture, and philosophy are to serve all governments legally in power, whether APC today or PDP tomorrow. Public service delivery remains our duty, not political partisanship. We assure our colleagues that security measures will be put in place to protect their lives and properties as they return to work.”
Government and APC Weigh In
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and NULGE had initially directed workers to avoid the secretariats citing security concerns. The Osun State governor also advised newly sworn-in local government chairmen and councillors to steer clear of the offices to prevent potential violence.
However, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has now aligned with the faction’s stance, supporting calls for local government workers to resume work in the interest of peace and stability in the state.
With tensions rising and accusations flying, all eyes are now on Osun’s local government workers will they heed the call to return, or will the standoff persist?