Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Two immediate past officials of the Abia State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees(NULGE) have been expelled from the union.
The National leadership of NULGE clamped down on the former Deputy state president, Kenneth Nwasuka and the former state publicity secretary, Ikechukwu Uko, over alleged anti-union activities.
In a letter dated July 21, 2023, and signed by the National Secretary of the union, Isah Gambo, a copy of which was seen by THISDAY, the national leadership of NULGE pronounced the expulsion of the two recalcitrant former leaders.
“I am directed to inform you that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of July 20, 2023, has approved your expulsion from the Union,” the NULGE national secretary stated in the letter.
“You are hereby expelled from the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for anti-union activities”.
The expulsion of the two former officials was not unconnected with the festering leadership crisis in Abia NULGE even after a state delegates conference was successfully conducted and new executives elected.
Gambo made the affected members to know that their expulsion followed due process, saying the allegations of anti-union activities levelled against them was, “confirmed through our investigations, in addition to your failure to exonerate yourselves.”
The NULGE national secretary had in a recent letter addressed to the Abia governor, Mr. Alex Otti, over the leadership crisis in Abia chapter, informed the Governor there was no crisis in the union in Abia.
However, the NULGE scribe acknowledged that some complaints were received by the National Secretariat, from some members in Abia State following the state delegates conference.
“The complaints were concerning the last State Delegates Conference held in Aba which ushered in new State Administrative Council (SAC) members and that it(complaint) has been referred to the appropriate organ of the Union for mediation,” he said.
In the letter which was copied to Abia State Police Commissioner; State Director, DDS; Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs among others, the NULGE national leadership affirmed the emergence of a new SAC in Abia.
“Your Excellency may also wish to know that Abia state NULGE Executive ably led by Comrade Ikechi Nwaigwe is the only recognised executive of the union in Abia state”, the letter stated.
Meanwhile, the Abia NULGE has passed a vote of confidence on Otti for fulfilling his promise to pay the local government workers despite ongoing verification of staff.
This was made known by the President of Abia NULGE, Kennedy Ikechi Nwaigwe, in a message dated July 26, 2023, which he sent to state officers, branch chairmen and members of the various committees across the 17 local governments in the state.
Nwaigwe, confirmed that the LG workers had received their June salaries and urged NULGE members to continue to support the state governor and his government in the task of rebuilding the state.
