The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the state branch of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Arise TV anchor Dr. Reuben Abati, accusing them of political bias amid the ongoing dispute over unpaid local government allocations.
In a statement released Monday and signed by Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, the APC alleged that NULGE President Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe is collaborating with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to block the release of federal funds owed to local councils.
The party condemned a recent NULGE warning against releasing the seized funds, calling it “unpatriotic” and detrimental to the people of Osun.
“It’s clear NULGE is aligned with Governor Adeleke to deny Osun residents their constitutionally guaranteed funds,” the statement said, labeling the union a “partisan tool of the PDP.”
The APC also blamed NULGE for prolonging a seven-month strike by council workers, claiming the union has become more political than labor-focused under Ogungbangbe’s leadership.
Reaffirming its position, the APC highlighted the Court of Appeal ruling on February 10, 2025, which reinstated APC-elected council chairmen and councillors, contrary to the PDP’s claim that the February 22 local government elections produced the legitimate officials.
The party urged the Federal Government and related agencies to disregard NULGE’s warning and proceed with releasing the funds in line with the court decision.
Separately, the APC criticized Reuben Abati, co-host of The Morning Show on Arise TV, accusing him of siding with Governor Adeleke and showing bias in his commentary on the crisis.
“Abati’s handling of the delayed payments revealed a lack of understanding and partisanship,” the APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi said. The party challenged Abati’s reliance on a June 13 Court of Appeal ruling, asserting that the February 10 judgement remains valid.
The APC questioned why Governor Adeleke has not taken the matter to the Supreme Court if he disputes the ruling, accusing Abati of acting as judge and jury on national TV.
Concluding, the party urged that Osun residents should not suffer due to political games while constitutionally approved funds remain withheld in Abuja.
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