The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, of engaging in partisan politics during his recent visit to the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the APC alleged that Kankara was brought into Osun by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lend credibility to what it described as Governor Ademola Adeleke’s “deceptive narrative” regarding the ongoing local government crisis.
The party warned the national leadership of NULGE not to be misled by the Adeleke administration, claiming that local government workers in the state were deeply divided, with a splinter group, the Association of Concerned Local Government Employees (ACLGE), actively opposing the mainstream union.
“It is imperative to educate the national President of NULGE, who was hoodwinked by the Osun State government under the pretence that all is well with NULGE in the state,” the APC stated.
The APC expressed dismay that the state chapter of NULGE allegedly failed to inform its national leadership about its alignment with the PDP and continued disregard for the February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated APC-elected local government officials.
“The leadership of the politicised NULGE has refused to resume work since the reinstatement of APC council chairmen and councillors, openly showing solidarity with Governor Adeleke’s administration,” Olabisi alleged.
The party further claimed that Kankara’s visit and his support for the state chapter of NULGE appeared orchestrated to lend legitimacy to actions that subvert the rule of law.
“Comrade Kankara must resist being used by the Adeleke administration, which appears determined to corrupt even the holiest of angels in its bid to disobey court orders,” the statement said.
Accusing the state government and its sympathisers of fuelling violence, the APC cited past incidents, including the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, the reinstated chairman of Irewole Local Government, and five APC members, allegedly by political thugs.
The party called on the national NULGE leadership to rein in its Osun branch and persuade striking local government workers to resume duties, warning that continued defiance could cripple grassroots governance.
The APC also criticized the Osun State Government for allegedly ignoring advisories from the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police regarding the legality of local government elections in the state.
“Encouraging blatant disobedience to the Court of Appeal judgement will have grave and unmitigated consequences on the integrity of NULGE,” the statement warned.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of NULGE, during a visit to Osun State Government Secretariat in Abere, declared full support for the local chapter’s decision to withdraw services. Comrade Kankara praised Governor Adeleke for prioritising workers’ welfare and described Osun’s minimum wage structure as one of the best in the country.
The growing tension surrounding local government administration in Osun State continues to spark heated reactions from both major political parties and labour stakeholders.
Comments