As the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) congress approaches, an aspiring candidate for the presidency of the union in Oyo State, Comrade Ibrahim Olaiya, has met with the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, with his team, the NULGE Integrity Group, seeking ways to ensure a fair electoral process amid concerns about potential voter coercion.
During the meeting, Olaiya praised the Oyo State Government for its steadfast support of local government employees, saying, “We are grateful for Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to our welfare.”
He specifically highlighted the recent conversion of ad-hoc workers to permanent staff, attributing the achievement to the Governor’s “large heart.”
While commending the Local Government Service Commission for their efforts in making the transition possible, he added that the conversation addressed significant concerns regarding the upcoming NULGE elections.
Olaiya, however, raised alarms about the possibility of individuals facing postings or transfers if they do not vote for specific candidates during the congress.
“There are fears that individuals may be coerced into supporting certain candidates,” he warned, emphasising the high stakes involved in the internal NULGE elections.
In his remark, Speaker Ogundoyin offered a reassuring message to the delegates, saying, “Every citizen is a bona fide member of this state.”
He emphasised that the state government is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all candidates in the congress and made it clear that threats to voters would not be tolerated.
“We will ensure that every individual can make their choice freely,” he added, underscoring the government’s dedication to a democratic process.
Ogundoyin further assured the NULGE Integrity Group that the government is “ready to support and do more any day, any time,” reinforcing the administration’s commitment to the welfare of local government employees.
Responding to these assurances, Comrade Olaiya expressed gratitude on behalf of his team, saying, “We are hopeful that this election will proceed smoothly and transparently.”
