Local government workers in Osun State today resumed duty across council secretariats after an 11-month strike, with heavy security deployment observed at various local government offices.
Recall that members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) embarked on the industrial action on February 16, 2025, following a dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of the local government councils.
A tour of several council secretariats by our correspondent showed a strong security presence, with police patrol vehicles stationed at the entrances of the councils to maintain law and order, reports The Nation.
The reinstated APC chairmen welcomed the returning workers, assuring them of their readiness to collaborate in strengthening governance at the grassroots level.
Local government areas visited by our correspondent included Olorunda, Osogbo, Orolu, Irepodun, Boluwaduro, Boripe, and Obokun.
In Osogbo, the Vice Chairman, Rasak Latona, received the workers and urged them to work with the council leadership to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda, while criticising the prolonged strike action by NULGE.
Latona confirmed that more than 300 workers had resumed duties at the council.
“So far, so good. It has been peaceful and well-coordinated. On arrival, we could see security personnel at the entrance checking those who are supposed to be in, so there will be no trouble,” he said.
Speaking with journalists, the Osun State President of NULGE, Dr. Kehinde Ogungbangbe, expressed satisfaction over the resumption of work by union members across the state.
However, he accused the police of bias, alleging that security operatives allowed APC council chairmen into the secretariats despite earlier warnings that their presence would not be tolerated.
He said, “To my utmost dismay, today I discovered that it was the Police that were opening the gate for the politicians to enter the local government. The control crisis still linger and the case is in court, so politicians ought to stay away from the LGAs.”
Speaking on behalf of the APC council executives, Chief Adegoke Ogunsola denied police bias but noted that security operatives only backed legality.
“We have been at the council since February 2025, and the keys of the secretariat have been with us. We opened the door for the returning workers today, and the police checked all those who went inside the council today.
“The NULGE executives were at the gate to identify their colleagues without identity cards. Some of our supporters who went to the secretariat with us were sent back because they had no business there. We are at the council, and we are operating autonomously.”
