The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has declared an indefinite strike over planned resumption of sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) council executives, who were reinstated by a Court of Appeal verdict in Osun state
The Appeal Court ruling paved the way for the APC-backed council officials to reclaim leadership across Local Government Areas in the state.
However, Governor Ademola Adeleke has vowed to resist their reinstatement.
Following the growing political tension in the state, the NLC issued a memo on Sunday, signed by its Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, titled “Safety of Our Members is Non-Negotiable.”
The directive urged workers to stay away from council offices, citing concerns over their security.
The memo stated that the NLC had observed rising agitation and fear among its members working in local government areas across Osun.
“The NLC is apolitical, but we won’t allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity. We urge all political parties and their members to abide by the rule of law. We insist on the rule of law to avoid a descent into anarchy.“
In furtherance to this, we hereby direct all our members working in all the LGAs in Osun State to withdraw their services effective Monday, 17th February 2025 by midnight.”
He stressed that “We won’t allow our members to return until their safety at work can be assured and guaranteed, which is their constitutional right. We hereby call on all security agencies to ensure the safety of all lives and properties within Osun State Local Governments and the public in general.”
Similarly, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Nathaniel Ogungbangbe also agreed with the stance of NLC in a memo with reference number NULGE/OSS/GEN/12/VOL170.
Earlier, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke alerted the Federal Government, national, and global audiences about an alleged deliberate plot by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, to create chaos and anarchy in the state.
Adeleke alleged that the former governor of the state has instructed the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the DSS, and the State Commandant of the Civil Defence Corps to mobilize security operatives from within Osun to enforce a non-existent judgment by forcefully taking over the local governments on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at the Government House on Sunday, the governor warned that his government would not allow any takeover of local governments except through a judicial pronouncement or a democratic process.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to insist on the rule of law by instructing the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS, and the Commandant General of the Civil Defence Corps not to obey an illegal order from his nephew, Oyetola.
He also requested that the president verify the facts of the case through the National Security Adviser and the Attorney General of the Federation, specifically the fact that the Court of Appeal judgment did not reinstate the sacked local government chairmen and councilors.
Responding, Oyetola vehemently dismissed the allegations that he is plotting to destabilize Osun State.
The minister emphasized his antecedents and pedigree, citing his 15-year track record of public service as evidence.
In addition, Oyetola appealed to his successor, Governor Ademola Adeleke, to respect the Appeal Court judgment, rather than resort to cheap blackmail, which has no place in law.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke for allegedly misleading the public about the Appeal Court judgment delivered on February 10, 2025.
The APC Chairman in Osun, Tajudeen Lawal, while addressing journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, stated that rather than stoking sentiments and seeking undue public sympathy, the Governor should comply with the court order and provide protection to the reinstated council chairmen and councillors.
He noted that the APC has been seeking legal means to ensure the law takes its due course, and it is now time for the Governor to do the same.
