By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has raised the alarm over the forceful occupation of local government secretariats by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the move poses a serious threat to democracy and governance at the grassroots.

President of the union, Dr Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, in a statement issued in Osogbo, condemned the action, describing it as illegal and a violation of due process.

He cautioned that such actions could throw the state into chaos and disrupt essential services.

Ogungbangbe recalled that the Federal High Court in Osogbo had, on November 30 2022, nullified the October 2022 local government election following a suit filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

“With that judgement, the seats of chairmen and councillors across the state remain vacant. The invasion of local government secretariats by APC members is unlawful and sets a dangerous precedent,” he said.

He insisted that any attempt to reinstate the sacked council chairmen should be pursued legally rather than through forceful occupation.

“Anyone parading themselves as elected chairmen or councillors in Osun State today is an impostor and a looter. They are enemies of democracy,” he added.

The APC was said to have moved to reclaim the local government secretariats after an Appeal Court ruling, which, however, did not order the reinstatement of the affected officials.

NULGE expressed concern that the political tension could negatively affect workers’ welfare and service delivery in the state.

The union urged Governor Ademola Adeleke and relevant authorities to intervene and restore order in local government administration.

Ogungbangbe also advised local government workers to stay away from the secretariats until normalcy is restored, warning against any involvement in activities that could undermine democratic governance.