By Morenike Oluwatoyin
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Akeem Olatunji Ambali, has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant local government autonomy in the bid to bring power closer to people at the grassroots.
Comrade Olatunji stated this in Ado-Ekiti, the State Capital, during the 7th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees in Ekiti State.
He noted that insecurity and banditry have become major challenges in the country, adding that any plan contrary to local government autonomy is a total failure.
“President Bola Tinubu should consider granting Local Government autonomy.
“Any plan contrary to local government autonomy in Nigeria is a total failure.
“Power must be where people reside and people reside in the local governments.
“Local Governments must be autonomous if we must get it right in this country.”
Speaking on the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the National President tasked President Tinubu to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy for the Nigerian workers who are mostly affected by it.
“We congratulate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his emergence as President of Nigeria.
“Our people are agitating against the effects of fuel subsidy removal because things are not going as expected.
“We therefore call on President Bola Tinubu, as a matter of urgency to provide palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.”
Speaking with our correspondent, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Oluseyi Olatunde who was Re-Elected unopposed called on members of the Union in Ekiti State to look forward for another four years of robust unionism that will help take their career to the next level in the State.
He further told the delegates at the conference that he would continue to make them proud as their leader, for them to be able to raise their shoulders among their peers in other services.
Comrade Olatunde scolded the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for publicly working and campaigning against the autonomy of the local government administration in Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.
He also lamented how the former Governor owed several months of unpaid salaries, failed to remit deductions, unimplemented several backlog of promotion arrears and the unpaid leave bonuses.
He however expressed his appreciation to the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji who has been able to settle several barrage of debts that was owned by his predecessor in office within the shortest time he came on board as Governor of Ekiti State.
Meanwhile, during the election, Comrade Idowu Adejuyigbe emerged as Vice President, Comrade Cusmas Adebayo as Treasurer representing the women, Comrade Ajisafe Arinola as Trustee, Comrade Adesoji Obaleye as Auditor and Comrade Bodunde Taiwo Ojo Akinola.
Others are Oladipupo Yinka as Publicity Secretary, Timothy Ojuawo as Welfare Officer and Ajewole Adedayo as Young Workers representative.
