Ogun Govt Sacks NLC and NUT Chairmen

Ogun state government has dismissed the state chairmen of NLC, Akeem Ambali and NUT, Dare Ilekoya. This comes eleven days after workers in the state embarked on an indefinite strike,

Head of Ogun Public Service, Olusola Adeyemi, announced the dismissal in a statement on Monday. The statement was entitled: “Government position on the recommendation of panel of inquiry set up to investigate alleged misconduct of executive members of the NUT on the 2016 World Teachers Day Celebrations held on October 5.”

Also, 14 other members of the state chapter of the NUT and 16 officials of the union were suspended for their roles in organising the celebration.

According to Mr. Adeyemi, the panel indicted Mr. Ambali for making “inflammable and scandalous remarks against the state government”. This is said could cause breach of peace in the state.

“The Ogun State government accepts the recommendation of dismissal of the affected officials which the panel found guilty of contravening the Public Service Rules 04401,04421(c&d) and 04406(a).”

Therefore, he directed the relevant agencies of government to implement the government decision.

Until his dismissal, Ambali was the Deputy Director, Community and Social Development, Sagamu Local Government.

Ambali further said he had never been summoned by any panel. He said he only heard of the development through phone calls.

“We are calling on our ever committed workers to remain at home. They should not be intimidated by this action that is against all norms of democratic and fair hearing.”

“I have never been summoned by any panel. This clearly shows how autocratic and deceitful the government of Ibikunle Amosun is.”

“Our cause for this strike is legitimate, just and right. They have only shown their true colours and this new approach is unprecedented in the history of this country. No state governor has done what they are doing to us in Ogun state.”

“Their past draconian efforts have never yielded any fruits, so also will be this move to cage us in Ogun State.”

“We only want to warn that they should not set this state on fire, even as we urge our members to remain calm and just stay at home. The struggle continues.”

However, there seem to be no end in sight to the strike.

Organised labour in the state had commenced an indefinite strike on October 20.