Osun NULGE Suspends 10-month-old Strike With Conditions

Osun State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has announced January 5, 2026 as the resumption date for its members at the local government secretariats across the state following the suspension of its 10-month-old strike action.

Recall that the State chapter of NULGE withdrew its services from all local government secretariats following the volatile security situation arising from the leadership tussle and political friction between the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State over the control of local government secretariats by rival elected councils.

The resumption date was contained in a letter of notification and request for security protection sent to all security agencies on Monday in Osogbo. The decision followed a series of security council meetings to deliberate on security guarantee and successful resumption of work at the grassroots.

The statement signed by the Osun Statw NULGE President, Comrade Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, further read: “As you are aware, our members were asked to withdraw their services and embark on a sit-at home action following the volatile security situation arising from the leadership tussle and rival political friction between PDP and APC over the control of Local Government Secretariats in Osun State. To safeguard the lives of our members, we had no choice but to vacate these premises.

“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 LCDAs Secretariats to forestall violence and provide a secure working environment.”

The union of local government workers, however, made some demands from security agencies.

The conditions include, “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 (which forms part of the judicial record) that they were elected on 15th October, 2022, for a three-year tenure. By effluxion of time, their tenure legally expired on 30th October, 2025.

“Pending Litigation: These 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 time in office has lapsed. Rather than awaiting the court’s decision, they have resorted to the illegal occupation of secretariats.

“Constitutional Violation: The current forcible occupation of public facilities by these individuals is a direct violation of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits any person or group from taking control of any part of the government except in accordance with the law.

“Risk to Civil Servants: Local Government employees are law-abiding citizens. The current environment is highly volatile. Our members cannot be expected to navigate through unauthorized persons “occupying” their places of work without the protection of the Law.

“Running of the Local Government Secretariats: The 30 Local Government councils, Area offices and LCDAs Secretariats 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 requested the deployment of adequate security to the 30 local government area secretariats and LCDA secretariats to prevent intimidation, harassment, or disruption of lawful duties and prevent any further illegal occupation of the secretariats by unauthorised persons to ensure public peace.