The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has elected former North West Vice President of the union, Comrade Ahmed Labbo as its new national president.
The election of which took place at Green Desert Palm Hotel, Airport Road, Kano, saw him elected as the new leader.
The Labbo’s election follows the death of the former National President, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel Abdulkadir, on October 7.
According to the Nation Newspapers, it was gathered that the deceased was to complete his tenure in March 2021.
His death opened a vacancy, which according to NULGE, must be filled by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union.
Meanwhile, according to the union’s constitution, the national vice president was supposed to have taken over the leadership but he has been incapacitated by health challenge, it was learnt.
Hence, following a motion by one of the members at an emergency meeting, NEC, which is composed of all NULGE States presidents and national officers of the union, unanimously picked Labbo, who is next in hierarchy.
There will be an election before March to throw up new officials, the union said.
Labbo paid a beaming eulogy to their deceased leader and sought contributions from his subordinates to enable him succeed.
In his words, he stressed that “We shall uphold his (Abdulkadir’s) unique contributions to labour movement, governance at all levels and democracy issues, particularly his many years of constant and strong advocacy for Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria.”
He further stressed that “It is a clarion call to all of us to be strong and united, believing that together we will uphold the principles of Abdulkadir, as we know he stood for peace and unity.
“I believe even in death he will be proud he left behind strong and verile foot soldiers, dogged in the attainment of the ideals of the founding fathers of our great union which he pursued till his demise.
“NULGE staff should expect better and improved welfare packages. Issues of minimum wage, staff pension and promotion shall be of great importance to us. This is because we hold our staff in high esteem since we see them as the engine room of our union,”
