Local government workers in Osun State have ruled out an immediate return to work, emphasizing that only directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) will determine their resumption.
The workers were ordered to stay away from their offices on February 16 by NULGE and NLC leadership due to security concerns following a legal battle over the enforcement of a Court of Appeal ruling in Akure. The case revolves around the reinstatement bid of elected local government officials who were removed from office.
The affected officials—chairmen and councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 15, 2022, local government elections—argued that the appellate court overturned a previous ruling by the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which had sacked them on November 25, 2022. However, the Osun State Government countered that the court did not issue a consequential order for their reinstatement but merely upheld their appeal.
Despite appeals from the APC-elected officials urging workers to resume duties, many remain hesitant, citing concerns over salary payments and an upcoming NULGE state election.
A worker from Boripe Local Government, identified as Isiaq, told The Reporters, “No one has asked us to resume yet, and it is not a priority. People fear that the ongoing crisis may affect our salary. We are still waiting for our February salary, and with the NULGE state election this week, those are our main concerns.”
Similarly, a NULGE official in Osogbo Local Government, Teju, stressed that only NULGE or the NLC could authorize their return. “They should pay our salary first. People are worried that the crisis in the councils might affect our payments,” he said.
Workers across several local government areas, including Ejigbo, Egbedore, and Osogbo, echoed the same stance, reaffirming that they would remain at home unless directed otherwise by their unions.
Reacting to the development, the leader of the APC-elected council chairmen, Abiodun Idowu, appealed to workers to return, assuring them of their safety. “We urge them to resume so we can fulfill our mandate. They are not supposed to be partisan. Work must continue, and I assure them that their security is guaranteed. Council areas across the state are safe,” Idowu stated.
Efforts to reach Osun NLC Chairman, Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, for comments were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered, and he had yet to respond to messages as of the time of filing this report.
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