The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter has called on security agencies in the state to hold the President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun chapter, Comrade Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order across the state’s local government councils.
This warning was issued in a statement issued on Monday by ALGON, which comprises of the 30 local government chairmen and the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke of Osun State.
ALGON accused the NULGE leadership of actions capable of undermining peace and stability at the grassroots, urging union executives to desist from any move that could disrupt the relative calm enjoyed in the councils since the reinstatement of elected chairmen and councillors.
The local government chairmen recalled that workers under NULGE President, Ogungangbe had been directed to withdraw their services and stay away from council secretariats since February 2025, following the resumption of office by APC-backed council officials who were reinstated after a court ruling.
According to ALGON, the prolonged absence of workers from council offices for nearly 10 months had crippled local government administration and suggested what it described as partisanship and alleged financial inducement by the NULGE leadership.
Tensions, ALGON said, heightened further after Ogungbangbe announced January 5, 2026, as the resumption date for local government workers, while also appealing to security agencies for protection.
Reacting to the announcement, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Samuel Idowu Abiodun, described the move as suspicious and capable of triggering unrest across council areas.
In a statement made available to journalists, Abiodun warned that any action that could expose local government workers or residents to danger would not be tolerated, stressing that the reinstated APC chairmen and councillors remained the constitutionally recognised leaders of the councils.
ALGON accused the NULGE president of attempting to usurp the powers of the courts by questioning the legitimacy and tenure of the council officials.
“It is alarming that the NULGE president has assumed the role of a court of law by deciding who should occupy council offices,” Abiodun said, adding that the issue of tenure was still before the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
He maintained that the occupation of council secretariats by the reinstated officials was legal, constitutional, and backed by existing court judgments, noting that their tenure remains valid pending the final determination of the suit.
The ALGON chairman further said the association had exercised patience and restraint since the workers’ withdrawal of service earlier in the year, opting to pursue lawful and peaceful means to resolve the dispute.
However, he warned that recent statements credited to Ogungbangbe suggested an intention to provoke social unrest, prompting ALGON to formally alert security agencies.
Abiodun reaffirmed the commitment of the council chairmen and councillors to peace, unity, and stability across the state, while calling on security agencies to be vigilant.
He also urged all APC local government chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and party functionaries to remain firm and continue to take charge of council administration until the court delivers its final verdict on the tenure dispute.
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