The Director-General of the Advocacy For Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria (ALGAN), Prince Oyelude Oladele, has condemned the partisanship of the leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) in Osun State, describing their criticism against the reinstated chairmen as unethical and against the public service rules.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Oyelude denounced the NULGE claim of forceful occupation of the secretariats by the reinstated chairmen, described it as a statement of ignorant.
He stressed that such claim is an attestation that Osun NULGE President is partisan.
“Recalled that the Chairmen and Councillors in Osun State existed their various councils after the Federal High Court in Osogbo, delivered Judgement on November 30th, 2022 without any delay or crisis in which they ought not to leave until final verdict from the apex court.
“Unfortunately, the Chairmen and Councillors left their councils to avoid crisis but filled for appeal. Fortunately, Appeal Court sitting in Akure, declares the chairmen and the councillors duly elected on the 10th of February, 2024.
“The chairmen did not invaded the local government as claimed by Osun State NULGE President, they waited until the Appeal Court released the certify true copy of the judgment 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, 16th February, 2025.
“The claim by the NULGE president, Dr Ogungbangbe that the chairmen and councillors invaded the local government secretariats is an unfortunate statement of ignorant, the NULGE president should know that his actions may affect the relationship of the reinstated chairmen and the NULGE members across the state, he should know that the political neutrality of civil servants preserves their ability to serve current and future governments, irrespective of their political composition.
“Ogungbangbe should know that the recent developments will separate the local government from the cage of the state government, thereby created an avenue for effective discharge of their duties as the staff of the local government, given the financial and administrative autonomy where every directorate will work effectively.
“NULGE, which represents the local government workers across the state, should know that the present development will positively impact the staff welfare and optimum service delivery.
“Ogungbangbe should stop giving order to all local government employees in Osun State to stay away from the secretariats, the newly reinstated chairmen are the Chief Executive in their various LGAs, they can take a deciplinary actions against the local government workers who failed to resume.
