An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, on Tuesday struck out the case instituted by the Deputy President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE in the state, Comrade Marcus Akinduko against the bye-election that ushered in Comrade Bola Taiwo as State President of the Union.
The bye-election followed the appointment of the immediate past President, Olubunmi Eniayewu as a Permanent Secretary in the Public Service of Ondo State.
Akinduko had in December, 2018 lost a move to become the President of the Union when members elected Bola Taiwo in the bye-election in line with the NULGE Constitution.
Having not satisfied with the election, Akinduko approached the high court to seek an order to declare him the substantive State President of the Union after the appointment of Eniayewu as a permanent secretary by the Ondo State Government, adding that the bye-election was improper.
But delivering judgement in the case, Justice Williams Akinturoye, held that the High court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case under the law.
Justice Akinturoye ruled that such union’s dispute should have been taken to the National Industrial Court and dismissed Comrade Marcus’ case that was seeking that he should be declared the President of NULGE after Eniayewu left office.
Reacting to court ruling, the NULGE President, Comrade Taiwo Bola said there was no victor, no vanquish in the judgement, adding that the verdict would spur him to continue to improve the welfare of all local government workers in the state.
“To me, Comrade Marcus is my friend of many years, we can’t fight; no victor, no vanquish in this judgement. I believe nobody has won. That is why I told our members not to celebrate the judgement, we are all one, NULGE is one family.”
“This judgement will make me to do more welfare packages like regular health programmes for members. I have started my health clinic since last year’s December. Health is wealth, without good health you can discharge your duties well as workers.”
He added, “We will continue to ensure our members get their promotion as and when due, those seeking conversion in service will get. I will not disappoint them, NULGE in Ondo state will be stronger than before.”
