The Osun State branch of the All Progressives Congress, APC, claims that Aliyu Haruna Kankara, who serves as the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, was invited to the state with the intention of favoring the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in a biased manner.
On Saturday, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, released a press statement acquired by DAILY POST wherein the party urged the national leaders of NULGE not to fall for what they characterized as misleading claims about the condition of local governance within Osun State under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.
The statement indicated, "There is an urgent need to inform the national President of NULGE, who has been misled by the Osun State government under the guise that everything is fine within NULGE in the state."
Based on information from the APC, workers within the local government sector in Osun State have split into different groups. One such group operates independently as part of an organization called the Association of Concerned Local Government Employees, nACLGE. This subgroup is headed by Tirimisiyu Adekunle along with Akinkunmi Adepoju.
The organization showed astonishment that the state branch of NULGE apparently did not inform the national president regarding its political shift and its support for the PDP, an issue the APC raised while accusing them of ignoring a Court of Appeal ruling from February 10, 2025.
"The leadership of the politically charged NULGE has declined to return to work since the reinstatement of APC council members and chairmen, publicly demonstrating support for Governor Adeleke’s administration," according to Olabisi.
The APC alleged that Kankara and his executives were supposedly taken to Osun "to engage in underhanded political tactics well beyond the actual circumstances faced by local government councils throughout the state."
Moreover, the APC criticized the factional NULGE for behaving more like an opposing group against the APC rather than serving as an impartial labor union advocating for workers' interests.
"It is essential for Comrade Kankara not to be swayed by Governor Adeleke’s administration, as it has the power to corrupt even the most virtuous individuals and undermine the legal system," the statement claimed.
The party highlighted instances of violence, alleging that Hon Remi Abass, who was reinstated as the chairman of Irewole Local Government, together with five APC members, were killed by assailants during earlier assaults.
The APC encouraged the nationwide NULGE leadership to convince its Osun branch to restart their work, blaming them for paralyzing the state’s local governance by neglecting responsibilities for more than two months.
The party alerted the union that the Osun State Government supposedly disregarded explicit warnings from both the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police regarding the conduct of local government elections within the state.
The APC cautioned the national NULGE against associating themselves with activities that defy judicial rulings.
"Promoting blatant defiance of the Court of Appeal’s ruling will have severe and uncontested repercussions for the integrity of NULGE," the statement read.
The Daily Post reported that the National Executive Council of NULGE supported the Osun State branch after they decided to stop providing services because of the current local government crisis in the region.
During a gathering held at the Osun State Government Secretariat in Abere on Friday, Aliyu Haruna Kankara, who serves as the National President of NULGE, voiced complete backing for the resolution. He highlighted this demonstrates the administration's dedication to enhancing member benefits.
Kankara praised the Osun State Government for making workers' well-being a priority, noting that the state has one of the highest minimum wages in Nigeria.
APC alleges political bias by NULGE National President in Osun state