The Osun State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has strongly rejected the allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Union is an accomplice to an alleged plan by elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmen to invade council secretariats across the state.
In a statement signed by the Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC alleged that NULGE officials were working in conjunction with the elected PDP local government chairmen to take over the 30 local government council secretariats and the Area Office.
The Union, however, described the allegation as baseless, malicious and capable of unnecessarily heating up the polity and creating tension among local government workers and residents of the state.
The Osun State NULGE President, Comrade Nathaniel Ogungbangbe stated categorically that no member of the Union is an accomplice to any plan to invade local government secretariats, cause a breakdown of law and order or engage in any illegal activity.
According to the Union, NULGE is a professional and non-partisan organisation whose primary responsibility is to protect the interests and welfare of local government employees, promote industrial harmony and ensure the effective functioning of the local government system.
The NULGE President urged the APC and its spokesperson to desist from dragging the name of the Union into partisan political controversies, stressing that local government workers should not be made scapegoats in political disputes.
He said: “NULGE is not a political party and has no interest in sponsoring or supporting any act capable of undermining peace and security in Osun State. We therefore reject, in its entirety, the allegation that NULGE officials are accomplices to any planned invasion of local government secretariats.”
The Union further clarified that its officials and members remain committed to the rule of law and would not encourage, participate in or support violence, thuggery or the forcible takeover of any government facility.
NULGE also expressed concern over what it described as the attempt by the APC to link the Union and its officials with alleged security threats without providing any evidence.
The Union therefore challenged the APC to substantiate its allegation with credible evidence or withdraw the accusation and apologise to NULGE and its members.
NULGE called on security agencies and members of the public to disregard any attempt to portray local government employees as political actors or accomplices in activities capable of disrupting public peace.
The Union said it remains committed to industrial peace and harmonious working relationships with all stakeholders, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The NULGE President urged all parties involved in the ongoing local government controversy to allow the courts to determine the matter, while calling on politicians and their supporters to avoid statements capable of escalating tension in the state.
The Union reaffirmed that no member of Osun NULGE will be part of any illegal invasion, violence or unlawful takeover of local government secretariats, and urged local government employees to remain calm, professional and focused on their legitimate duties.