Members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Plateau have embarked on 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.
President of the group in the state, Yohana Makwin Arondon, disclosed this during a press conference in Jos, the Plateau state capital, on Monday.
Politics Nigeria gathered that the decision to embark on the strike came 24-hours after the Plateau State Police Commissioner reinstated the 17 suspended LG chairmen.
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.
Governor Mutfwang had, following the suspension of the elected LG chairmen, appointed new caretaker chairmen to take charge of the secretariats across the state, a development that led them to drag the governor to court.
However, the LG workers, while briefing newsmen on the strike action, said the decision became necessary in view of the possible clash between supporters of the APC and PDP at the various secretariats.
The president said the 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.”
Arondon continued: “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.
