As the August 7, 2025 elections for the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Oyo State draw near, the race for the State President position has intensified, with Comrade Salaudeen Ibrahim Olaiya of the NULGE Integrity Group embarking on a robust grassroots campaign.
Challenging the incumbent State President, Comrade Ayobami Adeogun, Salaudeen has taken his message directly to delegates and members across various zones, promising a transformative leadership for the union.
Comrade Salaudeen’s campaign commenced with an energetic flag-off in the Oke-Ogun zone, specifically Saki West Local Government, before moving to the Ogbomoso and Oyo/Afijio zones.
During these engagements, he met with delegates, stakeholders, and branch executives, articulating his vision for a more inclusive, responsive, and people-oriented NULGE. His message, centered on fresh leadership, focused reforms, and committed representation, has reportedly resonated with members across the state.
At the core of Comrade Salaudeen’s campaign is a comprehensive agenda anchored on six key pillars:
- Inclusive Leadership and Empowerment: He pledged an all-inclusive administration, ensuring every zone and branch is respected and recognized. He committed to involving branch chairmen and stakeholders in policy formulation and union decisions.
- Welfare and Career Development: Salaudeen assured members of direct benefits, including the distribution of souvenirs, and vowed active support and monitoring of members’ career progression and welfare needs.
- Zonal Development and Equity: A significant promise includes the establishment of fully functional zonal offices and the acquisition of NULGE-owned properties in every zone, aiming to promote fairness and visibility across the state.
- Dignified Retirement Support: He committed to organizing befitting retirement send-off events and ensuring the timely disbursement of entitlements for retiring officers.
- Training and Communication: His agenda includes plans for regular capacity-building programs and sustained familiarization visits to all branches, with the goal of strengthening communication and inclusion within the union.
- Women and Youth Empowerment: Salaudeen proposed structured empowerment programmes specifically for women across all Local Government Areas and reiterated his plan to create opportunities for young workers within the union structure.
Addressing delegates at each stop, Comrade Salaudeen passionately sought support not only for his State President bid but also for other candidates under the NULGE Integrity Group banner. He emphasized the critical need for a departure from the status quo, advocating for renewed energy, accountability, and a leadership that unequivocally prioritizes the welfare of its members.
“I am offering myself to serve with sincerity and purpose. With your support, we will reposition NULGE in Oyo State to work better for every member. We are ready. We are capable. We are committed,” Comrade Salaudeen stated, underlining his resolve.
The campaign trail has also featured other candidates from the Integrity Group, who have shared their respective visions and engaged delegates. These include candidates vying for positions such as Deputy State President, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary, State Women Leader, Welfare Officers, Trustees, Auditors, and Young Workers’ Representative.
With the campaign poised to continue in the Ibarapa and Ibadan zones, Comrade Salaudeen Olaiya’s message of reform, equity, and unity continues to gain traction, posing a formidable challenge to the current leadership and positioning him as a strong contender to usher NULGE Oyo State into what he terms a “new era.”
