Local government workers in Osun State have declared they will not return to their duties until the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) issue new directives, emphasizing concerns over unpaid February salaries and the ongoing crisis in the councils.
The workers had been ordered to stay home by NULGE and the NLC on February 16 due to insecurity linked to a legal battle over the reinstatement of elected local government officials.
The dispute stemmed from a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure, which overturned a previous judgment that had removed APC-elected chairmen and councillors following the October 2022 elections.
However, the Osun State Government countered, claiming the court only allowed the appeal and did not mandate reinstatement.
A worker from Boripe Local Government, Isiaq, shared his concerns with The PUNCH, saying, “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.”
Teju, a NULGE official from Osogbo Local Government, added, “They should pay our salary first. People are worried that the crisis in the councils might affect our payments.”
The leader of the APC-elected council chairmen, Abiodun Idowu, appealed to 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,” he said.
However, the workers remain steadfast, emphasizing that only a directive from NLC or NULGE will prompt their return to work.