The All Progressives Congress (APC) and a faction of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) have criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over the conditions attached to the planned resumption of council workers in Osun State on January 5, 2026.

The Nation reports that NULGE had directed its members to return to work after about 11 months of strike action, which followed the crisis over the control of local government councils claimed by both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The President of NULGE, Kehinde Ogungbangbe, had outlined conditions for resumption, including the provision of security for workers and the prevention of APC executives from occupying council offices. He argued that the tenure of the APC-backed officials had expired and that they lacked the authority to allocate council funds.

Reacting, the APC, through its Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, accused Ogungbangbe of partisan conduct, alleging that the union embarked on a sympathy strike in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke and abandoned its duties for political reasons.

Olabisi questioned the authority of NULGE to interpret court judgments, accusing the union of overstepping its mandate and interfering in matters beyond its statutory role. He described the conditions set by the union for resumption as unacceptable and inconsistent with civil service procedures.

He further alleged that the Osun NULGE leadership had become entangled in political interests, insisting that its actions undermined neutrality expected of public servants.

Similarly, the ALGON chairman, Hon. Samuel Abiodun, warned that security agencies should hold the NULGE chairman responsible for any breach of peace or breakdown of law and order during the resumption of workers at the councils.

He warned, “The monetary-induced NULGE executives to desist from any act capable of undermining the peace, unity and tranquillity that the people of the grassroots have been enjoying since the reinstatement of the Council Chairmen and Councillors.”

“We are aware of the shenanigans being orchestrated by the embattled NULGE President since our reinstatement, as he has shown clearly to the whole world his unchecked partisanship and bias. As we reaffirm our commitment to peace, unity, harmony, cohesion, and stability across the councils, we want to put our security agencies on alert in case there’s a breakdown of law and order.” (The Nation)