Osun Crisis: LG Workers Demand February Salary, Rule Out Resumption
Local government workers in Osun State have disclosed that only directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) can determine their resumption.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the workers were instructed to stay away from their offices on February 16 by the leadership of NULGE and the NLC due to insecurity concerns arising from the legal tussle over the enforcement of a Court of Appeal judgment in Akure.
The judgment, which reportedly returned the elected All Progressives Congress local government officials, has generated controversies.
However, the Osun State Government countered the claim that the APC chairmen have been reinstated, stating that the court did not issue a consequential order for their reinstatement but merely allowed the appeal against their removal.
Speaking anonymously, some local government staff members stated that returning to work was not a priority at the moment, citing concerns over their February salary and the upcoming NULGE state election.
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A worker at Osogbo Local Government, Obaloluwa Olawale, 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, a local government official in Ayedire, Samson Babalola, emphasised that only NULGE or the NLC could order their return to work.
“They should pay our salary first. People are worried that the crisis in the councils might affect our payments,” he said.
Several council staff members from Ejigbo, Egbedore, and Osogbo local governments echoed the same sentiment, affirming that only directives from the NLC or NULGE would prompt their return.
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, 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 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.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
