Two civil society organisations have urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate allegations of political victimisation of local government workers in Osun State over their voting choices in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The Nigeria Peace and Security Advancement Network (NPSAN) and the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI) called for an independent and transparent investigation into claims that some council workers were being targeted for allegedly failing to support Governor Ademola Adeleke during the election.

The organisations made the call at a joint press conference in Abuja, expressing concern over reports that leaders and some members of a group known as Concerned NULGE in Osun State had received suspension letters.

Assistant Secretary of NPSAN, Abigi Akaaer Joshua, and Assistant Publicity Secretary of LGDI, Musa Alaku Godiya, warned that public servants should not be intimidated, discriminated against or sanctioned for exercising their constitutional rights.

They acknowledged that allegations of misconduct should be investigated but cautioned against using disciplinary procedures to punish workers for their political preferences.

“We emphasise that allegations, no matter how serious and strong, require a proper investigation. However, where disciplinary action is framed up simply to unjustly punish workers based on their exercise of constitutional right, it raises serious constitutional and human-right abuses that deserve urgent attention,” they said.

The groups maintained that public service should be governed by established laws, professionalism and due process rather than political loyalty, insisting that workers should not be compelled to support a particular candidate or political party to retain their jobs.

They said: “We wish to make it absolutely clear that public service must be governed by law, professionalism and due process, not by political loyalty tests.

“A local government worker should not be expected to surrender his or her constitutional rights as a condition for securing a place in the public service of the Local Government, state and or federation”.

To support their position, the organisations cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantee citizens’ participation in democratic governance and protect their fundamental rights.

They referenced Section 14(2)(c), which provides for the participation of the people in their government, and Section 178(5), which addresses participation in governorship elections.

They cited Section 117(2), concerning voter registration for eligible Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above, alongside Sections 35 to 42, which cover fundamental rights, including personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of thought and conscience, expression, peaceful assembly and association, movement, and protection against discrimination.

The organisations particularly highlighted Section 42, which prohibits discrimination on specified grounds, including political opinion, and Section 36, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.

According to them, any disciplinary action against public servants must follow established legal and administrative procedures, including giving affected workers an opportunity to respond to allegations before decisions are taken.

They expressed concern that the affected workers could be facing sanctions based on suspicions about the candidates they supported during the election rather than proven misconduct.

“These local government workers have not been found guilty of any offence or wrongdoing other than suspicious claim of knowing the candidate they voted for during the election,” the statement said.

“It is our considered view that such is never a crime nor a wrongdoing by law. Thus, victimisation of the workers on the ground of exercising their constitutional rights is not only illegal, unlawful but also devilish and grossly against the democratic principles.”

The groups warned that any attempt to compel public servants to demonstrate political loyalty would undermine democratic principles and discourage citizens from freely exercising their electoral rights.

They stressed that the allegations required impartial investigation rather than assumptions about the political preferences or conduct of the affected workers.

As part of their demands, the organisations urged Tinubu to intervene to ensure the protection of constitutional democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights in Osun State.

They called on the Federal Civil Service Commission to examine the matter within its jurisdiction and ensure compliance with applicable public service rules and due process.

The groups also urged the Federal Ministry of Justice to provide appropriate legal oversight to ensure that government actions remained consistent with the Constitution and relevant laws.