NULGE Cannot Rewrite the Law or Suppress Democracy in Osun – Pro-Democracy Group Tells Kankara
Osogbo, Osun State – June 26, 2025
A pro-democracy coalition, The Osun Lovers of Democracy (TOLD), has strongly criticized the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over its recent comments on the ongoing leadership crisis in Osun State local governments, accusing the union of attempting to legitimize illegality and undermine the rule of law.
In a statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday, the group condemned what it described as “a politically motivated and misleading press conference” addressed by NULGE’s President, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara. TOLD said the union’s attempt to support the embattled government of Governor Ademola Adeleke and its allies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is “a clear assault on democracy and an endorsement of constitutional violations.”
The group recalled that the Court of Appeal, on February 10, 2025, ruled in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reinstating its elected chairmen across all 30 local government areas in Osun State. According to TOLD, the judgment rendered the dissolution of the councils by Governor Adeleke in 2022 illegal and affirmed the legitimacy of the APC chairmen.
“The Court of Appeal, with binding legal authority, nullified the illegal sack of elected officials by Governor Adeleke. No one, not even the President of the country, can override this judgment unless it is set aside by the Supreme Court,” the statement read in part.
TOLD accused the Adeleke administration of ignoring the judgment and, in collaboration with “a compromised NULGE leadership,” frustrating the reinstated APC chairmen from resuming office. The group alleged that the Osun State Government is deliberately blocking council operations to cover up financial mismanagement at the grassroots level.
“It is highly irresponsible for Comrade Kankara to disregard a valid appellate court judgment while encouraging federal agencies — including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Accountant General, and the Ministry of Finance — to channel public funds to individuals who have no legal claim to office,” TOLD stated.
The coalition described NULGE’s recent call for local government accounts to be operated solely by career officers as “an affront to democratic governance.” It emphasized that elected council chairmen remain the chief accounting officers of their respective local governments, adding that civil servants cannot override the mandate of the people.
According to the group, the ongoing situation in Osun’s local governments is “illegal and unconstitutional,” pointing to what they termed “the Adeleke government’s deliberate efforts, in connivance with some NULGE officials, to sabotage lawful governance at the grassroots.”
TOLD further urged federal financial institutions and agencies to comply strictly with the Appeal Court’s ruling by recognizing only the reinstated APC chairmen. The group warned that any attempt to divert public funds to unauthorized individuals will be resisted through legitimate means.
“To NULGE: you are not a court, and you are not above the law. If you continue to act like a political gang instead of a labour union, you will be treated as such. And to Governor Adeleke and the Osun PDP: your caretaker arrangement has been declared illegal — respect the court and step aside,” the statement concluded.
*Signed*:
The Osun Lovers of Democracy (TOLD)
Osogbo, June 26, 2025
