Osogbo – Local government workers in Osun State have maintained their stance on staying away from work, declaring 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 home on February 16 due to security concerns following a legal dispute over the enforcement of a Court of Appeal judgment in Akure. The case involves elected local government officials under the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are seeking reinstatement after being removed from office.

The Osun State Government, however, has argued that the appellate court did not explicitly order the reinstatement of the officials, only allowing their appeal.

Workers Prioritizing Salary, NULGE Election Over Resumption

Speaking anonymously, some local government staff have cited concerns about salary payment and the upcoming NULGE state election as reasons for not prioritizing their return to work.

A worker from Boripe Local Government, identified as Isiaq, stated:
“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, identified as Teju, stressed that only the NLC or NULGE leadership could call off the strike.

“They should pay our salary first. People are worried that the crisis in the councils might affect our payments,” he said.

Other workers from Ejigbo, Egbedore, and Osogbo local governments echoed similar concerns, stating that their February salaries and Ramadan preparations were their immediate focus.

APC Council Chairmen Urge Workers to Resume

Reacting to the situation, Abiodun Idowu, leader of the APC-elected local government chairmen, appealed to the workers to return, 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 stated.

Efforts to reach Osun NLC Chairman, Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered, and he had not responded to messages as of the time of filing this report.