In a strongly worded statement, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to immediately halt its seven-month-long solidarity strike with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. The APC’s directive comes amidst a legal battle initiated by reinstated APC local government chairmen, who are seeking a court-ordered extension of their tenures, thereby rendering NULGE’s strike strategy futile. The party’s statement, issued by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, accuses the NULGE leadership of prioritizing political allegiance to the state’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the welfare of its members and the broader Osun populace. This development has sparked significant debate about governance, union responsibility, and the intersection of politics and public service in Osun State.
Background of the Crisis
The ongoing dispute in Osun State stems from a complex interplay of political, legal, and administrative conflicts. In 2022, local government elections in Osun State resulted in the election of APC chairmen across various local government areas. However, following the assumption of office by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP in November 2022, tensions arose over the status of these chairmen. The Adeleke administration took steps to dissolve the local government councils, a move that was met with resistance from the APC and the affected chairmen. The chairmen challenged their dissolution in court, arguing that their tenures, which were set to expire in October 2023, were still valid. The courts subsequently reinstated the APC chairmen, creating a legal and political quagmire.
Amidst this turmoil, NULGE in Osun State embarked on a solidarity strike to align with the Adeleke administration’s position. The union’s decision to down tools for seven months has paralyzed local government operations, severely impacting grassroots governance and service delivery. The APC, in its latest statement, has seized on this development to criticize both NULGE and the state government, framing the strike as a politically motivated act that has exacerbated the suffering of ordinary citizens.
APC’s Critique of NULGE’s Solidarity Strike
The APC’s statement, signed by Kola Olabisi, articulates a scathing critique of NULGE’s leadership, particularly targeting its state president, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe. The party argues that the union’s prolonged strike has caused untold hardship for Osun residents, particularly at the grassroots level, where local government services are critical. These services include waste management, primary healthcare, rural infrastructure maintenance, and other essential functions that have been disrupted due to the absence of local government employees.
“The seven-month-long solidarity strike by NULGE has brought nothing but misery to the people of Osun State,” the APC stated. “The union’s leadership has chosen to prioritize political allegiance over the welfare of its members and the citizens who depend on their services. This is an unacceptable betrayal of public trust.”
The APC further contends that NULGE’s strategy of waiting for the APC chairmen’s tenures to expire in October is now futile, given the chairmen’s legal action to extend their terms. The reinstated chairmen have approached the Federal High Court, seeking a judicial pronouncement that would allow them to remain in office beyond their original tenure. This legal maneuver, the APC argues, undermines NULGE’s expectation that the expiration of the chairmen’s terms would resolve the crisis. “If the absconding state NULGE does not change its tactics, there is every tendency that the end of the needless strike is not in sight,” the statement warned.
Allegations of Political Bias
A central theme of the APC’s statement is the accusation that NULGE’s leadership is acting as an appendage of the PDP-led state government. The party claims that Dr. Ogungbangbe and his executive team are more interested in advancing a political agenda than addressing the legitimate concerns of their members. This accusation is particularly significant in the context of Osun’s polarized political landscape, where the APC and PDP have been locked in a fierce rivalry since the 2022 gubernatorial election.
The APC alleges that NULGE’s leadership has been co-opted by the Adeleke administration, effectively transforming the union into a tool for political maneuvering. “The Ogungbangbe-led NULGE executive is the worst in the history of Osun State,” the APC declared. “While their members suffer from unpaid salaries and lack of direction, the executives are smiling to the banks and gallivanting to seminars in Lagos. This is a clear demonstration of their lack of empathy and pro-government stance.”
The reference to a seminar in Lagos attended by NULGE executives is a pointed jab, intended to highlight what the APC perceives as the leadership’s insensitivity to the plight of its members. The party suggests that while ordinary local government employees bear the brunt of the strike, the union’s leaders are enjoying financial and personal benefits, possibly at the behest of the state government.
Questioning the Adeleke Administration’s Actions
The APC also takes aim at the Adeleke administration, questioning the rationale behind its decision to schedule new local government elections while the tenure of the APC chairmen was still in effect. The party argues that this move was premature and legally questionable, especially given the ongoing litigation surrounding the chairmen’s status. “Why would the Adeleke administration direct the holding of new local government elections when the matter of the APC chairmen’s tenure is still before the courts?” the statement asked. “This is a clear attempt to undermine the rule of law and disenfranchise the people of Osun State.”
The scheduling of new elections has been a contentious issue, as it raises questions about the state government’s respect for judicial processes. The APC contends that the Adeleke administration’s actions have contributed to the prolonged crisis, further complicating the resolution of the dispute. By calling for new elections, the government has effectively sidelined the reinstated chairmen, creating a parallel governance structure that has fueled confusion and administrative paralysis at the local level.
Impact of the Strike on Osun Residents
The APC’s statement emphasizes the devastating impact of NULGE’s strike on Osun’s grassroots communities. Local governments in Nigeria are responsible for delivering essential services, such as sanitation, primary education, and basic infrastructure maintenance. The absence of local government employees for seven months has led to a breakdown in these services, with ripple effects on the quality of life for ordinary citizens.
For example, waste management systems have collapsed in many local government areas, leading to environmental hazards and public health concerns. Rural roads, which are often maintained by local councils, have fallen into disrepair, making it difficult for farmers and traders to transport goods to markets. Primary healthcare centers, which rely on local government staff, have been understaffed, limiting access to medical care for vulnerable populations. These challenges have disproportionately affected rural and low-income communities, which depend heavily on local government services.
The APC argues that NULGE’s leadership has failed to consider these consequences, choosing instead to align with the state government’s political objectives. The party calls on the union to prioritize the welfare of its members and the public by ending the strike and returning to work. “The people of Osun State deserve better,” the APC stated. “NULGE must put an end to this self-inflicted crisis and focus on its core mandate of advocating for its members and serving the public.”
Legal and Political Implications
The APC chairmen’s decision to seek a tenure extension through the courts adds another layer of complexity to the crisis. If the Federal High Court grants their request, it could significantly alter the dynamics of local governance in Osun State. A court-ordered extension would likely delay the implementation of new local government elections, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding grassroots administration. This legal battle also underscores the broader tensions between the APC and PDP in Osun, with local government control serving as a key battleground.
The APC’s statement suggests that the party is confident in the legal merits of the chairmen’s case. By framing NULGE’s strike as a “great mistake” in light of the ongoing litigation, the APC is signaling its belief that the chairmen’s tenure may extend beyond October. This development could have far-reaching implications for the Adeleke administration, which has staked much of its political capital on consolidating control over local governments.
NULGE’s Role and Responsibilities
NULGE, as the umbrella body for local government employees in Nigeria, is tasked with protecting the rights and welfare of its members. The union has historically played a significant role in advocating for better working conditions, salaries, and benefits for local government workers. However, the APC’s statement paints a picture of a union leadership that has lost sight of these objectives, instead becoming entangled in partisan politics.
The accusation that NULGE is acting as an extension of the PDP raises serious questions about the union’s independence and credibility. In Nigeria, labor unions are expected to maintain a degree of neutrality, advocating for their members regardless of the political party in power. By aligning so closely with the Adeleke administration, NULGE risks alienating a significant portion of its membership and undermining its legitimacy as a representative body.
The APC’s call for NULGE to end its strike is not only a critique of the union’s leadership but also a broader appeal to its members. The party is urging rank-and-file employees to pressure their leaders to reconsider the strike, arguing that the prolonged action is doing more harm than good. Whether this appeal will resonate with NULGE members remains to be seen, as the union’s internal dynamics and decision-making processes are not fully transparent.
Broader Context of Osun’s Political Landscape
The crisis in Osun State is emblematic of the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s federal system, particularly with regard to local government autonomy. Local governments in Nigeria are often caught in the crosshairs of state and federal politics, with governors wielding significant influence over their operations. The Adeleke administration’s attempt to dissolve the APC-led councils and call for new elections reflects a common tactic used by state governments to assert control over local governance.
The APC’s resistance to these moves is equally strategic, as control over local governments provides political parties with significant influence at the grassroots level. Local government chairmen play a key role in mobilizing voters, distributing resources, and implementing policies that align with their party’s agenda. The ongoing dispute in Osun is therefore not just about the tenure of a few chairmen but about the broader struggle for political dominance in the state.
Conclusion
The APC’s call for NULGE to end its seven-month-long solidarity strike is a significant escalation in the ongoing political and administrative crisis in Osun State. By accusing the union’s leadership of acting as a political tool for the PDP and neglecting the welfare of its members, the APC is seeking to shift public opinion and pressure NULGE into resuming work. The party’s emphasis on the legal action by the reinstated APC chairmen adds a layer of urgency to its message, suggesting that the union’s strategy is based on a miscalculation of the political and judicial landscape.
As the crisis unfolds, the people of Osun State remain the ultimate victims, caught between a protracted labor dispute, a legal battle, and a political power struggle. The resolution of this crisis will depend on a combination of judicial outcomes, political negotiations, and the willingness of NULGE’s leadership to reevaluate its approach. For now, the APC’s statement serves as a clarion call for accountability and action, urging all stakeholders to prioritize the needs of Osun’s citizens over partisan interests.
The situation in Osun underscores the delicate balance between governance, labor rights, and political competition in Nigeria. As the state navigates this challenging period, the actions of NULGE, the Adeleke administration, and the APC will have far-reaching implications for the future of local governance and public service delivery in Osun State.
