NULGE Aba South Chapter Holds Peaceful Leadership Election After Security Scare, as Hon. Obialor Denis Anyanwu Intervenes to Ensure Order and Safety

The long-awaited leadership election of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Aba South Chapter, was successfully held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Aba South Local Government Council Headquarters.

Earlier in the day, the exercise had faced possible suspension following reports of an alleged attack on one of the contestants. In response, members of the Abia State Executive Working Committee of NULGE held a crucial meeting with the Executive Chairman of Aba South Local Government Area, Hon. Obialor Denis Anyanwu, in his office to address the incident and ensure calm before the commencement of the polls.

During the meeting, Hon. Anyanwu clarified that while he had no personal interest in the outcome of the union election and lacked the authority to interfere in internal union matters, he was duty-bound to prioritize the safety of council workers and residents of Aba South. He disclosed that as early as 5:00 a.m., he began receiving calls about the alleged attack on one of the aspirants and immediately contacted security operatives who confirmed the incident.

The council boss emphasized the need for an investigation to uncover the facts behind the attack and suggested that, for posterity’s sake, the election could be temporarily suspended until clarity was achieved. 

However, he urged the union leadership to bring all parties together to foster understanding, peace, and reconciliation through a truce to be undertaken by the contestants or their agents.

According to Hon. Anyanwu, the security of council staff and the entire Aba South Local Government remains his top priority. He stressed that if any breakdown of law and order were to occur, the responsibility would ultimately fall on his office, hence the need for caution and preventive measures.

Also present at the meeting was the Head of Service (HoS) of the Aba South Local Government, who commended the Executive Chairman for his warm reception and proactive leadership, noting that Aba South was setting a standard that other local governments should emulate.

In her remarks, the Abia State NULGE Chairperson, Lady (Evang.) Linda Ihuoma Uneaze, expressed appreciation to the council chairman for his concern and commitment to ensuring a peaceful election. She explained that the state executive committee was in Aba South to conduct the long-delayed chapter elections for various leadership positions, adding that significant resources had already been committed to organizing the exercise.

Lady Uneaze further confirmed that she had personally spoken with the affected contestants, including a chairmanship aspirant and the women leader, both of whom narrated their experiences. She assured that while investigations would continue into the reported attack, the incident should not hinder the long-overdue electoral process.

At the conclusion of the deliberations, a consensus was reached between the Executive Chairman and the NULGE state leadership to proceed with the elections under strict security observation. The polls were eventually held smoothly, with reports indicating that the exercise was free, fair, and devoid of violence.

The meeting also had in attendance several Heads of Departments (HoDs) under the Aba South Local Government Council, who commended the maturity, transparency, and leadership displayed by all stakeholders throughout the process.

With this election, the Aba South Chapter of NULGE has successfully ended years of leadership stalemate, marking a new chapter of unity, peace, and progress for local governmen t workers in the area.