Local government workers in Osun State have refused to return to work, insisting that only directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) will determine when they resume.
The workers were instructed to stay away from their offices on February 16 following concerns about insecurity. This was due to an ongoing legal battle over a Court of Appeal judgment in Akure. The case involves elected local government officials who were removed from office and are now seeking reinstatement.
The affected officials, including chairmen and councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the October 15, 2022, local government elections, claim that the Court of Appeal overturned an earlier decision by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which had removed them on November 25, 2022.
However, the Osun State Government has rejected their claims, stating that the court did not issue a clear order for their reinstatement but only allowed the appeal against their removal.
Some local government workers, who spoke anonymously, said they would not resume until their February salaries were paid. They also mentioned that the upcoming NULGE state election was another pressing concern.
A worker from Boripe Local Government in Iragbiji, identified as Isiaq, said, “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, an official from Osogbo Local Government, identified as Teju, stated that only NULGE or the NLC could instruct them to return to work.
“They should pay our salary first. People are worried that the crisis in the councils might affect our payments,” he said.
Workers from Ejigbo, Egbedore, and Osogbo local governments shared the same opinion, noting that they had not received any new directives.
One worker added, “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.”
Reacting to the situation, Abiodun Idowu, leader of the APC-elected council chairmen, urged workers to resume and assured 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 stated.
