The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has refuted allegations made by the Association of Concerned Local Government Staff of Osun State.
In a statement issued by NULGE President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, the union asserted that the so-called association is not a recognised trade union in Nigeria and has no legitimate standing in Osun State.
NULGE dismissed accusations that its leadership operates as a family affair, insisting that the union is democratically managed.
The union defended its directive for local government staff to stay at home, stating that the decision was made in collaboration with the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
“The Association of Concerned Local Government Staff is unknown to us and is not registered with any trade union in Nigeria.
“Our leadership is elected transparently, following our constitution and democratic principles.
“Decisions are made collectively, always prioritising the welfare of workers and the people of Osun State.
“This action was taken to safeguard our members’ lives, not for personal or political reasons,” Ogungbangbe explained.
NULGE also rejected claims that it had been politicised, maintaining that the union remains neutral.
The union further dismissed allegations that the strike has endangered the lives of vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children.
NULGE criticised calls for local government staff to return to work without addressing the grievances that led to the industrial action.
“Our stance is based on legal and constitutional provisions, not political affiliations. Any legal actions we take are purely in the interest of justice and workers’ rights.
“All Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) remain operational, contrary to the claims made by the association,” the statement clarified.
“Such calls are irresponsible and betray the collective interest of workers. Meaningful dialogue is the only way forward,” it added.
The union reiterated its support for its leadership and condemned attempts to discredit them and called on security agencies to remove individuals currently occupying local government secretariats.
“The allegations against our executives are baseless, and we will contest any legal actions brought against them.
“Our strike is in the best interest of our members, and we have national backing,” he affirmed.
On Saturday, a faction of NULGE, Osun State, had called on the local government workers to resume work in the interest of the general public and local government workers.
The faction described the protracted withdrawal of services by workers as the height of irresponsibility and sheer wickedness, noting that grounding local government services subjects members of the public to unnecessary hardship with denial of basic government services.
The local government workers under the auspices of the Association of Concerned Local Government Staff in Osun State, said the local government employees cannot continue to be denied their monetary and career privileges over needless withdrawal of services.
State Coordinator of the faction, Adedayo Adekunle and the Secretary, Akin Adepoju during a press conference held at the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osogbo, accused the Osun NULGE President, Dr Nathaniel Ogungbangbe of nepotism and flagrant disobedience to the constitution of NULGE, especially in respect to the withdrawal of services.
Osun NULGE rejects claims by breakaway body, insists on service withdrawal
