The Association of Concerned Local Government Workers in Osun State has expressed its endorsement of the ongoing local government autonomy initiative within the state. The group has urged all local government employees to return to their workplaces starting Monday.
During a press briefing held in Osogbo, the association’s spokesperson, Comrade Adedayo Adekunle, criticized the extended strike organized by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), labeling it as unwarranted and detrimental to the public service.
“This strike has persisted for more than seven months. The justification of insecurity is no longer valid, as peace prevails throughout the local government areas. We are the rightful occupants of these secretariats, and it is disgraceful that we have abandoned our offices to pests and vermin,” Adekunle remarked.
He further accused the current NULGE leadership in Osun State, headed by Comrade Dr. Nathaniel Kehinde Ogungbangbe, of making decisions without consulting the workforce and neglecting their welfare.
The association also pledged to vigilantly monitor the use of recently disbursed local government funds, cautioning the reinstated All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors to uphold transparency and responsible stewardship of public finances.
Conversely, in a statement released to the press in Osogbo and signed by NULGE Publicity Secretary Comrade David Olalekan Owoeye, the union rejected the call for workers to resume duties.
Owoeye clarified that under Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe’s leadership, NULGE has not authorized any directive for local government employees to return to work, dismissing the resume order as a ploy by those opposed to progress.