The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike in protest against the planned resumption of sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) council executives, who were reinstated by a Court of Appeal verdict.
The Appeal Court ruling paved the way for the APC-backed council officials to reclaim leadership across Local Government Areas in the state. However, Governor Ademola Adeleke has vowed to resist their reinstatement.
Amid the growing political tension, the NLC issued a memo on Sunday, signed by its Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, titled “Safety of Our Members is Non-Negotiable.” The directive urged workers to stay away from council offices, citing concerns over their security.
The memo, obtained by Our Correspondent, stated that the NLC had observed rising agitation and fear among its members working in local government areas across Osun.
“The NLC is apolitical, but we won’t allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity. We urge all political parties and their members to abide by the rule of law. We insist on the rule of law to avoid a descent into anarchy.
“In furtherance to this, we hereby direct all our members working in all the LGAs in Osun State to withdraw their services effective Monday, 17th February 2025 by midnight.”
He stressed that “We won’t allow our members to return until their safety at work can be assured and guaranteed, which is their constitutional right. We hereby call on all security agencies to ensure the safety of all lives and properties within Osun State Local Governments and the public in general.”
Similarly, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Nathaniel Ogungbangbe also agreed with the stance of NLC in a memo with reference number NULGE/OSS/GEN/12/VOL170.
Meanwhile, APC through its State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, warned the Osun State workers against being used against the progress of the state by the government of Ademola Adeleke.
