By John Dike, Osogbo
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, has formally alerted security agencies in the state to hold the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State Chapter, Comrade Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, responsible should there be any breach of peace or breakdown of law and order across the 30 Local Government Areas and the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke.
ALGON, which comprises all duly reinstated Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Osun State, warned that certain actions and statements credited to the NULGE leadership constitute a grave threat to peace, unity, and stability at the grassroots.
The association cautioned what it described as monetarily induced NULGE executives to desist from any act capable of undermining the relative peace and tranquility currently enjoyed by residents since the reinstatement of the APC-elected council officials by the Court of Appeal.
Recall that local government workers in Osun State, under the directive of the NULGE President, withdrew their services and deserted council secretariats in February 2025 following the resumption of office by the reinstated council officials.
This action resulted in a prolonged sit-at-home directive that has lasted over ten months, a development ALGON described as a clear display of partisanship and external inducement aimed at frustrating grassroots governance.
In a sudden twist, Comrade Ogungbangbe on Monday, December 29, 2025, announced January 5, 2026, as the resumption date for local government workers, while simultaneously making what ALGON termed frivolous and provocative requests to security agencies in an apparent attempt to attract undue sympathy.
Reacting, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Samuel Idowu Abiodun, in a statement made available to journalists, described the announcement as a calculated ploy to incite chaos and destabilize the peace painstakingly restored across the councils since their reinstatement.
According to the statement:
“We find it necessary to alert security agencies to the looming threat of chaos being orchestrated by the NULGE President, Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, as evident in his recent statement seeking security cover to illegally dislodge duly elected council Chairmen and Councillors.”
“As law-abiding citizens, we have exercised patience, tolerance, and responsibility in handling the unwarranted withdrawal of services by local government workers since February. We deliberately chose legal and civil means to address the situation. However, the latest statement by Ogungbangbe clearly reveals an ulterior motive to plunge the state into social unrest. We therefore resolve to hold him personally responsible for any breakdown of law and order.”
ALGON further accused the embattled NULGE President of unchecked partisanship and bias, stressing that he lacks the constitutional authority to determine who occupies local government offices.
“It is bizarre and irrational for Ogungbangbe to assume the role of a court of law. He is neither a judge nor a judicial institution empowered to determine tenure or occupancy of council offices. Our reinstatement is legal, constitutional, and legitimate.”
The association emphasized that its tenure determination suit remains before the Federal High Court in Osogbo and that until final judgment is delivered, the reinstated Chairmen and Councillors remain the lawful occupants of the councils.
ALGON reiterated its commitment to peace, dialogue, and lawful processes, assuring genuine workers of a safe and welcoming environment to resume duties without fear of intimidation.
“We are open to dialogue and legal engagement in the interest of effective local government administration. Genuine workers are free to resume work as our councils are prepared to receive them with open arms to continue delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State.”
The statement concluded with a call on all APC council officials to remain steadfast in discharging their constitutional responsibilities pending the final determination of their tenure suit
