ALGAN DG criticizes NULGE for alleged partisanship in Osun crisis

The partisanship of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) leadership in Osun State has been denounced by Prince Oyelude Oladele, Director-General of the Advocacy for Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria (ALGAN), who calls their criticism of the reinstated chairmen unethical and against public service regulations.

Oyelude criticized the NULGE’s assertion that the reinstated chairmen had forcibly taken over the secretariats in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, calling it an uninformed claim. He emphasized that such an allegation is proof of the partisanship of Osun NULGE President. “Remembered that Osun State’s chairmen and council members had their own councils following the Federal High Court in Osogbo’s November 30, 2022, ruling without any delay or crisis, and that they should not wait for the apex court’s final decision.

“Regretfully, in order to avert a crisis, the chairmen and council members resigned from their positions but filed appeals. Thankfully, the Appeal Court in Akure declares that the chairmen and council members were duly elected on February 10, 2024.

“The chairmen did not invade the local government as claimed by the Osun State NULGE President; instead, they waited until the Appeal Court released the certify true copy of the judgment a few days later before they decided to return back to their various councils in which they were unfortunately attacked by the PDP thugs on Monday, February 16, 2025. The claim made by the NULGE president, Dr. Ogungbangbe, that the chairmen and council members invaded the local government secretariats is an unfortunate statement of ignorance.

The NULGE president should be aware that his actions could negatively impact the relationship between the reinstated chairmen and the state’s NULGE members, regardless of their political composition. Given the financial and administrative autonomy where each directorate will function efficiently, Ogungbangbe should be aware that the recent developments will detach the local government from the state government’s cage, creating a path for them to carry out their responsibilities as local government employees.

NULGE, the state’s local government employees’ union, ought to be aware that the current development will improve employee well-being and provide the best possible service.The recently reinstated chairmen are the Chief Executive in their respective LGAs, thus Ogungbangbe should stop ordering all local government employees in Osun State to avoid the secretariats. If they don’t return, they can take disciplinary action against them.