NULGE Pledges Unwavering Support for Governor Soludo’s Re-Election
Members of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Anambra State chapter with placards commending Soludo for restoring peace in the Union
By Ikemefuna Asika
The Anambra State Council of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has declared its total and unconditional support for the re-election bid of Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, ahead of the November 8, 2025, gubernatorial election.
This declaration was made during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Awka , the Light House, where NULGE leadership paid a thank-you visit to express their appreciation to the Governor.
Speaking during the visit, the State President of NULGE, Comrade Chudi Orakwue, informed the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, that the Union had come to express profound gratitude to Governor Soludo for his steadfast commitment to justice, rule of law, and due process in resolving a prolonged internal leadership crisis that had plagued the union.
Comrade Orakwue recounted the Union’s struggles, which involved factional divisions and prolonged legal battles.
He noted that although a court judgment delivered on September 29, 2022, ruled in their favor, the decision was not implemented until recently.
“Despite winning the legal battle, our faction was denied access to the union’s check-off dues, which continued to be paid to those we had legally displaced,” he said.
However, he noted that this changed in May 2025, when Governor Soludo graciously intervened and directed the establishment of a review committee to investigate the matter.
According to him,following the committee’s findings, the State Government issued a directive recognizing Comrade Orakwue’s leadership and reinstating their right to receive the union’s dues.
“By September 4, 2025, we received confirmation that our check-off dues for one month had been paid. While the directive was issued on May 26, 2025, meaning we are owed arrears for May, June, and July, we are not here to demand arrears. We are here to thank the Governor for standing firmly for truth and justice,” he stated.
Comrade Orakwue distanced the union from a splinter group that had visited the Government House a day earlier, claiming to represent NULGE.
He stated that the group lacked legitimacy and was acting in defiance of multiple court rulings.
“They do not exist as far as we are concerned. We have all the legal backing, including the Industrial Court judgment, enrollment order, and the final ruling of the Court of Appeal dated July 14, 2025, which affirmed the authenticity of our caretaker leadership. The Appeal Court remains the highest legal authority on union matters in Nigeria.”he added.
Flanked by state officers and the 21 local government executives, Comrade Orakwue extended heartfelt thanks to Governor Soludo, the Chief of Staff, the Accountant General, the Attorney General, and all stakeholders who played roles in upholding justice in the NULGE matter.
He pledged that NULGE Anambra, under the “Solution Vanguard” platform championed by Barr. Vincent Ifeanyi Ezeaka, Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, would work tirelessly to ensure Governor Soludo’s re-election.
“We have appealed to the Commission to allow us to close all Local Government Secretariat for four hours daily to embark on grassroots campaign activities. Our campaign is tagged ‘Operation Deliver Your Unit’—from departments to wards and ultimately polling units on election day.”
“We will work hand-in-hand with Barr. Ezeaka to return His Excellency to office for a second term, to continue the great work he is doing in transforming Anambra State,” he added.
In his response, Chief of Staff Ernest Ezeajughi commended the union for their orderly conduct and unity of purpose.
He promised to convey their appreciation and message of solidarity to the Governor.
Ezeajughi emphasized the administration’s commitment to governance built on security, law, and order, which he described as a key pillar of the Soludo administration.
“Your reference to the rule of law is noted. Every decision taken by this government is guided by legal frameworks, with input from the Attorney General and relevant legal authorities. We will continue to uphold justice and due process in all matters,” he assured.
He also pledged to engage relevant offices concerning the outstanding arrears and expressed the government’s willingness to foster unity among all factions in the interest of a stronger and more harmonious Anambra State.
At the end of the visit, the union leadership presented a formal letter of appreciation to the Chief of Staff along with placards bearing messages such as,“NULGE Workers in Total Support of the Governor,Thank You Charlie Nwangbafor for Standing by the Truth in the NULGE Matter and Mob Protest by Rebels Led by Ikechukwu Abugu Cannot Override a Valid Court Judgment”
