By John Dike, Osogbo
At last, local government workers in Osun State on Monday called off their prolonged strike, resolving to resume duties in the state’s 30 council secretariats on January 5, 2026.
The workers announced the cheering news under the aegis of the state’s chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) which fixed Monday, January 5, 2026, as the official resumption date for its members across all Local Government Secretariats in the state.
The union conveyed this decision in a formal letter of notification and request for security protection addressed to all security agencies and issued on Monday in Osogbo.
This followed a series of security council meetings convened to assess safety conditions and deliberate on guarantees necessary for a peaceful and successful return to work at the grassroots.
In a statement signed by the NULGE President, Comrade Dr. Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, the Union explained that its members were earlier directed to withdraw their services and observe a sit-at-home action due to the volatile security situation occasioned by the leadership tussle and political friction between the PDP and APC over the control of Local Government Secretariats in Osun State.
“To safeguard the lives of our members, the Union had no option but to vacate the Local Government Secretariats,” the statement said.
However, following extensive internal deliberations, NULGE resolved that its members would resume work on January 5, 2026, subject to adequate security arrangements.
“To ensure that this resumption does not lead to a breakdown of law and order or expose our members to physical harm, we formally request the deployment of sufficient security personnel to all 30 Local Government Councils, Area Offices, and LCDAs Secretariats to forestall violence and guarantee a safe working environment,” the Union stated.
Stressing the Union’s Position and Security Concerns in its correspondence to the security agencies, NULGE outlined the following critical issues:
1. Admission of Tenure Expiration
The sacked APC ‘Yes/No’ Chairmen admitted under oath before the Supreme Court in Suit No: SC/CV/773/2025 – Attorney-General of Osun State v. Attorney-General of the Federation that they were elected on October 15, 2022, for a constitutionally recognised three-year tenure, which by effluxion of time expired on October 30, 2025.
2. Pending Litigation
These same individuals have approached the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/147/2025 – Onibonokuta Saheed & 7 Ors v. AGF & 5 Ors, seeking an extension of their tenure. This action confirms their awareness that their tenure has elapsed. Rather than awaiting judicial determination, they have resorted to the illegal occupation of Local Government Secretariats.
3. Constitutional Violation
The current forcible occupation of public facilities by unauthorized persons constitutes a clear violation of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits any person or group from taking control of any part of government except in accordance with the law.
4. Risk to Civil Servants
Local Government employees are law-abiding citizens. The prevailing atmosphere remains highly volatile, and members cannot be expected to report to work under intimidation or confront unauthorized individuals occupying their workplaces without lawful protection.
5. Running of Local Government Administration
NULGE maintains that the 30 Local Government Councils, Area Offices, and LCDAs can be effectively administered without Chairmen or Councillors, in line with the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law, 2025, with the Head of Local Administration (HLA) overseeing operations, while the Director of Administration & General Services and the Director of Finance serve as the legally recognised signatories to Local Government accounts.
Prayers to Security Agencies
“In view of the scheduled resumption on January 5, 2026, NULGE respectfully requests that security agencies:
Deploy adequate security personnel to all Local Government Councils, Area Offices, and LCDAs Secretariats to prevent intimidation, harassment, or disruption of lawful duties;
“Prevent further illegal occupation of public facilities by unauthorized persons in the interest of public peace;
Maintain strict neutrality and uphold the rule of law by protecting civil servants from acts of self-help and lawlessness.
“The Union further warns that any breakdown of law and order arising from a failure to provide adequate security shall be squarely attributed to the relevant authorities, noting that this correspondence will serve as documentary evidence that the Union duly alerted security agencies to the impending danger.”
