Local government employees in Osun State have dismissed the possibility of an immediate resumption, maintaining that only instructions from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) will determine their return to duty.
The employees were directed to stay away from their offices on February 16 by NULGE and NLC leadership due to security concerns arising from the legal battle over the enforcement of a Court of Appeal ruling in Akure.
The case involves elected local government officials seeking reinstatement after being removed from office.
The affected officials—chairmen and councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 15, 2022, local government elections—argue that the Court of Appeal overturned an earlier judgment 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 countered their claim, asserting that the court did not issue a consequential order for their reinstatement but merely upheld their appeal against the removal.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, some local government staff members stated that returning to work was not a priority, citing concerns over their February salary and the upcoming NULGE state election.
A staff member at Boripe Local Government in Iragbiji, identified as Isiaq, told The PUNCH, “No one has instructed us to resume yet, and it is not a priority. People are concerned that the ongoing crisis may affect our salary. We are still awaiting our February salary, and with the NULGE state election this week, those are our main concerns.”
Similarly, an Osogbo Local Government NULGE official, identified as Teju, stressed that only NULGE or the NLC could authorize their return to work.
“They should settle our salary first. People fear that the crisis in the councils could impact our payments,” he said.
Several council employees from Ejigbo, Egbedore, and Osogbo local governments echoed similar concerns, affirming that only directives from the NLC or NULGE would prompt their return.
One worker added, “We were instructed by NULGE and NLC to stay home, and we haven’t received new instructions. For now, we are waiting for our February salary. We are also observing Ramadan and need our pay.”
Reacting to the situation, the leader of the APC-elected council chairmen, Abiodun Idowu, urged the workers to resume, assuring them of their safety.
“We appeal to them to return so we can fulfill our mandate. They should remain nonpartisan. 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 on Sunday.