APC threatens sack as Osun LG workers shun secretariats

Chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 15, 2022, Osun Local Government Area (LGA) election and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) might be heading for a serious confrontation over the party officials’ threat to sack local government workers.

It was observed that the officials returned to their council secretariats on Monday amidst tight security.

Visits to the Ifelodun Local Government headquarters in Ikirun, the Olorunda LGA in Igbona, and the Osogbo LGA secretariat in Oke-Baale showed that council officials on the platform of the major opposition party had resumed their duties.

A heavy security presence was also noted across major roads in the state, with armed police operatives and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers mounting roadblocks at the entrances to the secretariats.

Security checkpoints were observed along the Osogbo/Kwara boundary road, Osogbo/Ilesa road, and Osogbo/Ibokun road.

Recall that the local government chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were sworn in last Sunday.

At their inauguration in Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke asked them to stay away from the council secretariats to avoid clashes with their present occupants.

However, business activities continued uninterrupted across the state capital.

Apparently tired of the continued desolation of the council headquarters following the workers’ refusal to resume duties, the APC has said it would determine the fate of the workers if they fail to resume duties by Wednesday.

Reacting, Jamiu Olawumi, a former Special Adviser on Education to former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, stated that the chairmen and councillors had directed local government staff to return to work no later than Wednesday.

He said the officials resumed work in all 30 local government areas, saying, “All chairmen and councillors have resumed in all local governments and area councils in Osun State, including Irewole Local Government.

“Most of the chairmen have issued press releases this morning instructing their workers to resume by Wednesday at the latest. After Wednesday, if they fail to return, their employment status will be determined. The ultimatum stands at 72 hours.”

Recall that before the election, the state chapter of the NLC had also instructed workers in all LGAs to stay home due to the ongoing dispute between Adeleke and the APC in the state.

Affirming its earlier release notifying all local government area workers in the state to withdraw their services due to the political upheaval within their workplaces, the NLC, in a statement by its chairman, Abimbola Arapasopo, said the directive to stay off work still stands for council staff.

“This release further reiterates that our members’ safety at work is of high priority, and we will not allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“The Osun State Council of the NLC remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the masses. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by the desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved state,” the NLC chairman said.