By Becky Usman

Ambali Akeem Olatunji, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has criticized Abia Governor Alex Otti for allegedly interfering in the affairs of NULGE in the state. Olatunji expressed the union’s dissatisfaction with Otti’s recent imposition of his associates as the executives of the union in Abia State, stating that there was no leadership crisis within the state chapter of NULGE before Otti’s election.

Speaking during the inauguration of a new NULGE President in Akure, Comrade Fredrick Akinrinlola, Olatunji described Otti’s actions as “executive recklessness” and accused the governor of trying to control the union by imposing his allies at its helm. He asserted that the union would resist this attempt.

Olatunji also criticized certain state-level chief executives for attempting to impose weak candidates who can be easily controlled and who may not represent the union’s interests or effectively engage with the government. He cited a recent instance in Abia where an election had been conducted before the new government took office, but the governor’s actions sought to disrupt the union’s stability.

NULGE called on Governor Otti to refrain from interfering in the union’s affairs, annuling its elections, and imposing his allies as leaders. The statement emphasized the disappointment in the governor’s actions, particularly his efforts to take over the leadership of the union and his previous attempt to seize control of the NURTW (National Union of Road Transport Workers), which was rejected by the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress).