The member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, has cautioned the Osun State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) against political partisanship. Oke expressed concern over reports indicating that the Osun NULGE chapter had taken sides in politically related matters, describing the development as "dangerous for Nigeria's democracy, institutions, and ordinary citizens who rely on local government services for daily sustenance".
Oke's Concerns
- *Abandoning Core Responsibilities*: Oke warned that NULGE's involvement in politics could lead to abandoning its core public service responsibilities, potentially violating established laws and principles.
- *Loss of Credibility*: He cautioned that such actions could damage the union's credibility and long-term relevance, emphasizing that NULGE's mandate is to operate as a non-partisan body dedicated to defending local government employees' rights and welfare ¹.
Call for Neutrality
- *Urgency for Intervention*: Oke called on the National Secretariat of NULGE to urgently intervene and restore the union's neutrality and order in its Osun State chapter.
- *Prioritizing People's Welfare*: He urged local government workers to prioritize serving the people, stating that "public service is a sacred trust" and "political loyalty should never override constitutional responsibility".
Background
The crisis in Osun State's local governments has been ongoing, with disputes between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local government administration. The state government, NULGE, and OSSIEC have opposed plans by reinstated APC chairmen and councillors to claim local government allocations, citing lack of legal basis ².
Tags
politics