By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has firmly stated that its members will not return to their duties in defiance of a faction it describes as illegitimate.
During a press conference held in Osogbo on Friday, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, the state president of NULGE, clarified that the call for workers to resume was initiated by a group of “unregistered and suspended individuals” operating under the name Concerned Local Government Workers.
Dr. Ogungbangbe emphasized that this faction aims to disrupt the existing peace within the state’s local government councils. He assured that union members will remain on strike until stability is restored across all council secretariats in Osun.
He further accused the group of serving as a political tool for the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that anyone returning to work on Monday would be doing so under monetary influence.
“We want to make it clear to the public that NULGE in Osun State is non-partisan, contrary to claims by some uninformed individuals. These detractors are currently celebrating injustice because they believe it benefits them, which is why they allege that NULGE has become political,” Ogungbangbe stated.
He appealed to the union’s educated and conscientious members to disregard the calls from these opportunists and to stay away from their offices until official instructions come from the duly elected NULGE State Executives.
Ogungbangbe also highlighted that no directive to resume work has been issued by the State NULGE leadership, and that any recruitment or screening within the Local Government Service must be overseen by the Osun State Local Government Service Commission in Osogbo.
Reiterating NULGE’s non-partisan stance, he criticized the suspended members for neglecting workers’ welfare during the previous administration, which implemented policies such as half-salary payments that adversely affected local government employees.
Expressing support for the union’s position, Dr. Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), explained that NULGE members’ decision to stay off work stems from concerns over insecurity. He affirmed that they will only return once the disputes at the council secretariats are amicably resolved.