Local government workers in Osun State have insisted they will not return to work until official directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) are issued. The workers, who were instructed to stay away from their offices on February 16 due to security concerns linked to a legal battle over the reinstatement of local government officials, have made it clear that their resumption is contingent on the unions’ instructions.
The dispute stems from the enforcement of a Court of Appeal judgment in Akure, which involves elected local government officials seeking to return to office after being removed. The officials, who were elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 15, 2022 local government elections, claim that the Court of Appeal overturned a previous judgment by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which had dismissed them on November 25, 2022.
However, the Osun State Government has countered these claims, stating that the court did not order their reinstatement but simply allowed an appeal against their removal.
Speaking anonymously, several local government employees expressed concerns about resuming work amid the ongoing legal uncertainty. One worker from Boripe Local Government in Iragbiji, identified as Isiaq, noted that the priority at the moment is the payment of their outstanding February salary and the upcoming NULGE state election, rather than returning to work. “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,” Isiaq said.
Similarly, a NULGE official from Osogbo, Teju, emphasized that only NULGE or the NLC could give the go-ahead for the workers to return. “They should pay our salary first. People are worried that the crisis in the councils might affect our payments,” he stated.
Workers from other local government areas, including Ejigbo and Egbedore, echoed the same sentiment, stating they are waiting for a directive from the unions before returning to work. One worker mentioned, “We were told by NULGE and NLC to remain at home, and we haven’t received a new directive. For now, we are waiting for our February salary. We are also observing Ramadan and need our pay.”
In response to the situation, Abiodun Idowu, the leader of the APC-elected council chairmen, urged the workers to resume their duties, assuring them of their safety. “We appeal to them to return so we can deliver on 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 said.
Efforts to reach Osun NLC Chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, for comments were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered, and he had not responded to messages at the time of reporting.
