By Ismail Azeez
On May 1, 2026, Osun State witnessed an unusual development in its political history as workers took different directions in endorsing governorship candidates ahead of the August 15 poll.
While some workers backed Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, others threw their support behind his rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The May Day celebration preceding the August 15 governorship election took on a new dimension as labor unions held separate programs at different locations in the state capital.
Local government workers in the state, under the aegis of the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers, held their May Day celebration at Olorunda Local Government Area. The event was attended by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State, led by Hon. Abiodun Idowu of the All Progressives Congress.
The coordinator, Comrade Tirimisiyu Adedayo, lamented the suspension of over 400 local government workers from the Osun State Government payroll, as well as the loss of 54 members during the struggle for control of local government secretariats between the APC and the state government in February 2025.
It would be recalled that the emergence of the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers stemmed from the events of Monday, February 17, 2025, when the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Kehinde Ogungbangbe, withdrew services and initiated a sit-at-home directive for members.
They endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 governorship election, stating that the endorsement followed a review of his vision and development plans for the state.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun, led by Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, held its Workers’ Day celebration at Unity High School and endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office.
They stated that the decision was in recognition of the governor’s favorable disposition toward workers.
Arapasopo described Adeleke as worker-friendly, noting that his administration had addressed longstanding labor issues that predated his tenure.
He said the governor had ensured prompt payment of salaries and was implementing wage increases for workers, as well as pensions for retirees, calling on workers to support the governor’s administration and turn out en masse for the August 15 governorship election.
“The governor is doing excellently well. Like Oliver Twist, we ask him to sustain these good gestures and do more. To whom much is given, much is expected. Therefore, we must vote for his second term in office,” he said.
This new development is expected to reduce the influence of the labor force as a dominant factor in deciding the next governor who will lead Osun State for the next four years.