LG tussle: Plateau council workers commence indefinite strike over fear of attacks

Members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in Plateau State, have commenced an indefinite strike over what they described as fear of a possible clash between supporters of the reinstated LG chairmen and caretaker chairmen in the state on Monday. Yohana Makwin Arondon, who is the president of the group in the […]

Members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in Plateau State, have commenced an indefinite strike over what they described as fear of a possible clash between supporters of the reinstated LG chairmen and caretaker chairmen in the state on Monday.

Yohana Makwin Arondon, who is the president of the group in the state disclosed this during a press conference in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Daily Trust reports that the decision to embark on the strike came a day after the Plateau State police commissioner reinstated the 17 suspended LG chairmen in the state, adding that all the democratically elected chairmen would be led by DPOs of their various LGAs.

The reinstated LG chairmen who were elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), were suspended by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, for alleged misappropriation of funds, an allegation that the embattled chairmen denied.

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Governor Mutfwang had, following the suspension of the elected chairmen, appointed new caretaker chairmen to take charge of the secretariats, a development that led the embattled chairmen to drag the governor to court.

However, the LG workers while briefing journalists on their action said the decision became necessary in view of the possible clash between supporters of the APC and PDP might, at the various secretariats.

The president said contents of the press release by the police “Were at variance with the earlier directive whereupon the press release is asking for the suspended local government chairmen and councillors to resume office on Monday 28/08/2023.

“While as a union, we are not concerned with the political tussle over the matter, our concern is for the safety of our members (workers) whose safety and welfare is uncertain as the situation is unpredictable.

“We have therefore called this press conference in order to let Nigerians and concerned authorities know our predicament. Accordingly, as a union whose members salary is the Ieast in the state, we shall not further risk the lives of our members as result of this tussle, hence the union has resolved at an emergency state executive council meeting held today, Sunday, 27/08/2023 for a total strike action effective 12.00 midnight until this matter is resolved.

“This decision has become necessary in order not for innocent members of the union to be caught in the web of the police release,” he added.