Indications have emerged that all is now set for the 2015 general election of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE in Rivers State.
The tenure for the incumbent executives of the respective councils have since elapsed but to water down undue influence by the political officers and chairmen in particular, the union deliberately decided to suspend the election to such a time it may deem necessary to conduct the election.
From all indications, the union’s calculation is considered very apt now that pressure are said to be drastically reduced for such exercise to commence.
If the election as schedule for Tuesday May 26, 2015 holds, then the union is on advantage position to control its affairs other than undue influence by politicians.
However, feelers from the state council of the union reveal that Friday 22 is the screening of aspirants into the various offices of the 23 Local Government Councils while the election proper holds on Tuesday May 26.
Nulge timetable is described as politically sound as products of the purported council elections in the state slated for Saturday May 23, would all be busy with their elections or anticipated swearing in before the May 29, therefore leaving no room for any pressure.
In the meantime, not less than four contestants are struggling to lead the Andoni branch of the union.
As at the time of going to press, it was gathered that the incumbent chairman of the branch comrade Ugbana Igbikirilasa is a top contender for a second term.
Other top contenders for the plum job of Nulge in Andoni branch include one Sir Telenyem Godwin Etete of the Finance department and another two which the source could not ascertain.
The Newswriter feeler from the council has it that the contest would be between Sir. Telenyem Etete and the incumbent chairman, Igbikirilasa.
The Newswriter source and financial member of Nulge in Andoni has expressed surprise over the release of election guideline on Wednesday 20th against Tuesday 26 election and wonder how delegates and contestants would fair.
The source who spoke to The Newswriter via telephone from th Council Secretariat under condition of anonymity equally wonder the non-payment of staff salaries especially those on grade levels 1-8 who are expected to vote at the election.
Speaking to The Newswriter, the source imagine a situation where the principal officers who would address staffers are absent from council and decried lack of information or awareness about the election
The outgoing executives were also accused of not protesting non-payment of workers who are voters in the election rather concerned themselves with re-election.
But whichever way the election goes, it would be far from the regular partisan election as it would be devoid of rancour, a source said. ###
James Mgboineme
