Osun LG Strike Has Crippled Grassroots Governance – APC Chieftain
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has described the withdrawal of services by local government workers as unfortunate and unnecessary, warning that it has crippled governance at the grassroots.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye lamented that essential services, including primary healthcare, marriage registries, and administrative functions, have been paralysed for a month, subjecting residents to hardship.
“The action of the workers has crippled governance at the grassroots. Essential services have been shut down, leaving the people in hardship. Pregnant women cannot access immunisation for their newborns, and job applicants cannot process necessary documents at the local government secretariats,” he said.
According to him, since there are elected chairmen in place, there is no justification for workers to stay away from their duty posts.
“There is no justification for the workers to stay away from their duty posts when the local government has elected chairmen in place. Those using them to achieve a political goal are only destroying governance at the grassroots,” he added.
He urged the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to allow themselves to be used against local government administration, stressing that both unions should remain apolitical.
To ensure the safety of workers upon resumption, Oyintiloye disclosed that council chairmen would collaborate with security agencies.
He added that the perceived crisis at the local government level had been contained.
“I can assure you that the council chairmen will work with security agencies to ensure the safety of workers at their duty posts. The perceived crisis in local government administration has been contained,” he stated.
Commending a faction of NULGE under the Association of Concerned Local Government Staff for their willingness to resume work, he cautioned the state government against using divide-and-rule tactics to destabilise local government administration.
“The Association of Concerned Local Government Staff has shown a willingness to resume work. This is commendable, and I urge others to follow suit. However, the state government must not use divide-and-rule tactics to destabilise local government administration,” he added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
