Affected by the turmoil are Comrade Ikechi Nwaigwe and Comrade Abayomi Afolabi, who were elected as the President and Secretary of NULGE in May 2023.
Nwaigwe has reportedly been reassigned to a government ministry in the State, while the former Secretary, Afolabi, has been suspended by union members for allegedly working against the union’s interests.
Consequently, a new Interim leadership has been appointed in the State to manage NULGE’s affairs for approximately two weeks before a new election is held for executive positions.
The Interim leadership, led by Comrade Obinna Nwogu, was inaugurated in Umuahia. Comrade Ijeoma Onyenucheya, a former prominent figure in the union, urged the Interim leaders to conduct a transparent election and advised local government employees in the State to choose capable leaders.
Since their election in May, Nwaigwe and Afolabi have faced a series of challenges due to the emergence of a rival leadership claiming to be the legitimate executives.
Both factions issued numerous statements and press releases, each asserting victory in the May 2023 election.
In August, the National NULGE Leadership announced the expulsion of two Abia union executives, Kenneth Nwasuka and Ikechuckwu Uko, accusing them of working against NULGE’s interests in Abia. The expulsion was endorsed by Comrade Isa Gambo, NULGE’s National Secretary, and dated July 21, 2023.
However, a staff member of the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Umuahia, speaking regarding the crisis, absolved the current Abia State Government of any involvement, stating that the turmoil predates the government’s tenure.
The ministry’s employee indicated that it was inaccurate to link Governor Alex Otti’s administration to the union’s crisis.
Nevertheless, members of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have alleged that Otti’s administration has taken over the functions of local government in Abia.
Additionally, in late September, the National President of NULGE, Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji, claimed that the Governor was meddling in NULGE’s affairs in Abia during the inauguration of Comrade Frederick Akinrinlola as the NULGE President of Ondo State in Akure.