Osun LG crisis: NULGE orders members to resume Jan.5
The Osun State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has directed its members to resume work at local government secretariats across the state on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The prolonged strike began in February 2025 following a power struggle between elected officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC. The standoff kept many council offices under lock and key for months, paralysing grassroots administration.
The directive was contained in a formal notification and request for protection submitted to security agencies in Osogbo on Monday.
The decision follows a series of security council meetings aimed at guaranteeing the safety of workers at the grassroots level.
NULGE President, Comrade Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, who signed the statement, explained that the initial sit-at-home order was a necessary measure to safeguard lives amidst the volatile leadership tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over control of the council secretariats.
“However, following internal deliberations, the Union has resolved that its members shall resume work on Monday, 5th January 2026. To ensure this resumption does not lead to a breakdown of law and order or result in physical harm to our members, we formally request the deployment of sufficient security personnel to all 30 Local Government Councils, Area Offices, and LCDA Secretariats,” Ogungbangbe stated.
In its correspondence to security agencies, NULGE took a definitive stance on the legal status of the disputed council chairmen.
The union argued that the tenure of the officials, whom they referred to as “APC Yes/No Chairmen,” had legally expired.
The union cited Suit No: SC/CV/773/2025 before the Supreme Court, noting that the officials admitted under oath that they were elected on October 15, 2022, for a three-year tenure which elapsed on October 30, 2025.
“These individuals have approached the Federal High Court, Osogbo in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, seeking an extension of their tenure. This action confirms their awareness that their time in office has lapsed. Rather than awaiting the court’s decision, they have resorted to the illegal occupation of secretariats,” the statement read.
NULGE described the continued occupation of public facilities by the political group as a violation of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
To ensure administrative continuity without the disputed political heads, NULGE asserted that the council system can function effectively under the guidance of career civil servants.
“The 30 Local Government councils, Area offices, and LCDAs can be effectively run without any Chairmen/Councilors by the Head of Local Administration (HLA), with the Director of Administration & General Services and Director of Finance serving as the duly recognized signatories to the local government accounts under the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law 2025,” the union clarified.
NULGE concluded with a stern warning to security agencies, stating that the correspondence would serve as evidence that the authorities were duly alerted should any violence occur upon resumption.
The union prayed for the prevention of intimidation, harassment, or disruption of lawful duties, urging security agencies to maintain neutrality and protect public servants from self-help tactics employed by political actors.