By John Dike, Osogbo
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Cooperative Union in Osun State has debunked what it describes as “baseless and inflammatory” accusations of a secret attempt to sell off its property for N240 million.
The allegations, made in a viral article reportedly authored by Akin Adeyi also known by aliases such as Akoni Oodua Ayeniromo and Kapoo de Tutti—claim that top NULGE officials, including Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, the current state president, are plotting to sell off union assets under the cover of an ongoing strike.
But in a strongly worded rejoinder issued on Monday, the Osun State NULGE Cooperative Union categorically denied the claims, asserting that the property in question, located opposite the DSS State Headquarters along the Gbongan/Osogbo Road, belongs exclusively to the Cooperative Union and not to the broader NULGE state chapter.
It said, “This malicious narrative misrepresents the ownership and management of the property and falsely attributes illicit motives to Dr. Ogungbangbe and others.
“The said property is solely and single-handedly owned by the Osun State NULGE Cooperative Union, funded from the contributions of cooperative members—not the union.
At the centre of the storm is the ownership status of the property. While critics argue that the property is a shared asset of the general NULGE body in Osun State, the Cooperative Union insists otherwise, citing its internal financial records and bylaws.
According to the rejoinder, the property was acquired from the savings and investments of thousands of cooperative members—mostly local government workers across the state—and not from union funds.
The Cooperative Union says it is currently considering the sale of the property not as a clandestine act, but as a strategic decision aimed at resolving ongoing financial and administrative challenges. These include settling entitlements of retired members and acquiring new assets for the benefit of cooperative members.
“Should we now be looking at the property while people are suffering?” the rejoinder asked, referencing the cooperative’s responsibility to act in members’ interests
“The Cooperative Union has now challenged Akin Adeyi and others behind the allegations to present documented proof of any misconduct or false claims regarding ownership.
“Let the facts, deeds, and records speak for themselves in an open forum,” the Union said, calling for a public debate and encouraging scrutiny by past union leaders and other stakeholders.
In a bid to reassure its members and the public, the Cooperative Union emphasized that no individual, whether Dr. Ogungbangbe, Comrade Oluwasogo Daniel Oladipupo (Coop President), or Comrade Adepoju Taofeek (Treasurer), has the power to unilaterally sell any cooperative asset.
Any such decision, it stressed, must be made through the General Meeting of the NULGE Cooperative Union, in accordance with its democratic bylaws.
The controversy comes at a tense moment for the Osun NULGE body, which is currently undergoing a strike and internal leadership challenges.
Observers say this property dispute may be symptomatic of deeper political fractures within the union and between its cooperative and administrative arms.
While the Cooperative Union has called for calm and unity, it has also issued a stern warning to those it accused of trying to “fraudulently seize” cooperative property by exploiting the current climate.
“Over time, unscrupulous individuals using proxies have been attempting to claim ownership of the property. If the Cooperative Union does not act quickly, these anonymous parties may fraudulently seize it.”
The Cooperative Union urged all parties to desist from using the crisis for personal or political gain and instead focus on resolving the union’s broader challenges.
“We implore all parties to engage in dialogue for the greater good of Osun’s local government workers,” the statement read.
As the controversy unfolds, many await further clarifications, particularly from the leadership of NULGE’s Osun State chapter.
Meanwhile, the Cooperative Union stands firm on its claims of exclusive ownership and insists that all future actions regarding the property will follow due process.
