The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Plateau State Chapter has declared an indefinite strike action commencing Midnight of Sunday 27th August 2023. This accroding to the union was to guarantee the security of their staff who have been caught in the Local Government Executive leadership impasse across the 17 LGAs of Plateau State.
The Union has added that the decision was as a result of the uncertainties following the press statement issued by the Nigerian Police Force, Plateau State Command granting access to the suspended LG Executives, who were in June 2023 Suspended by the Executive Governor of Plateau State Barrister Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang following a recommendation sent to him by the then 9th Plateau State House of Assembly.
This was revealed in a letter addressed to the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs dated 27th August 2023 and signed by the Secretary of NULGE Plateau State Sa’ad Abdulmumuni, and a copy made available to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
Part of the letter reads “I have been directed to bring to your notice the commencement of an indefinite strike action effective 12:00am Monday 28th August 2023 by the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees in respect of the uncertainties created by the statement of the Police (PRO) of Plateau State Command directing the Total unsealing of 17 LGA Secretariats and Offices of the Local Government Chairmen in Plateau State allowing democratically elected Chairmen/Councilors to have access to their offices and resume work on Monday 28th August 2023 as against the earlier directive which prevented both parties i.e elected Chairmen/Councilors and appointed transition implementation committee chairmen from granting access”.
“This resolve became necessary in order to safeguard and protect our members from the uncertainties this directive might generate”
Recall that the Nigerian Police Force Plateau State Command issued a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Alfred Alabo dated 26/8/2023 directing the total unsealing of the offices of the Suspended LG Executives and Councilors effective Monday 28th August 2023.
Part of the statement reads “As parts of efforts to ensure the effective running of the 17 Local Government Secretariats in the State, the Police High Command has critically reviewed the matter and has directed the Plateau State Commissioner Police to unseal all the offices of the Local Government Council Chairmen and that of the Councillors to enable all the elected Council Chairmen and Councillors go into their various offices and adminstrate without any hindrance, pending the outcome of their case in court.”
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, has directed all Area Commanders and their Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) under his Command to immediately unseal the offices of the 17 Local Government Chairmen across the State and allow the democratically elected Chairmen have access to their offices and resume work on Monday, 28th August, 2023.” the statement noted.
Nigeria Star News 