Anxiety Mounts in Osun as Local Government Workers Resume After 11-Month Strike

There is widespread anxiety, palpable fear and growing tension across Osun State as civil servants under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) prepare to resume work on Monday, January 5, 2026, after an 11-month-old strike that paralysed activities at the third tier of government.

Residents, traders and public servants alike are uneasy over what may unfold as workers return to council secretariats that have remained shut for nearly a year amid a protracted political and legal crisis over the control of local government councils in the state.

According to reports monitored by Akahi News, the strike was declared on February 17, 2025, following violent clashes triggered by a leadership tussle between chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on October 15, 2022, and those elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on February 22, 2025.

Deadly Crisis and Shutdown of Council Secretariats

While NULGE workers stayed away from their duty posts from the onset of the strike, violence erupted on the same day, leading to the death of six persons, including a former Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr. Remi Abass.

Akahi News gathered that since the tragic incident, all local government secretariats across the state have remained locked, with labour unions consistently raising concerns that the unresolved political dispute and recurring threats could endanger the lives of their members if they resume work without adequate protection.

Union leaders have repeatedly warned that the volatile atmosphere surrounding the councils makes it unsafe for workers to carry out their lawful duties.

NULGE Confirms Resumption, Sets Conditions

Speaking on the planned resumption, the President of Osun State NULGE, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, confirmed that workers would return to work on Monday, January 5, 2026, but stressed that this would only happen if comprehensive security measures are put in place.

Dr. Ogungbangbe emphasised that the union’s primary concern remains the safety of its members, given the history of violence associated with the crisis.

He further outlined NULGE’s position on the lingering leadership dispute, citing what he described as judicially acknowledged facts regarding the tenure of the disputed council chairmen.

“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—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,” he said.

He also outlined the union’s demands ahead of the resumption.

“In view of our scheduled resumption on 5th January, 2026, we respectfully request the security agencies to deploy adequate security to the 30 local government councils, area offices, and LCDAs secretariats to prevent intimidation, harassment, or disruption of lawful duties, and to prevent any further illegal occupation of these secretariats by unauthorised persons to ensure public peace,” Ogungbangbe added.

APC Kicks, Raises Alarm Over Security

However, the leadership of the Osun State chapter of the APC has expressed strong displeasure over what it described as NULGE’s interference in the local government crisis.

The party reportedly alerted security agencies, alleging that the NULGE president might be planning actions capable of disrupting peace in the council areas as workers resume duties.

Akahi News learnt that the APC maintains that labour unions should remain neutral and not take sides in what it views as a political and legal matter.

Police Issue Stern Warning

Amid the tension, the Osun State Police Command has moved to assert control, issuing a stern warning against any form of lawlessness or disruption as local government workers return to their duty posts.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command disclosed that it had received credible intelligence suggesting that some individuals were plotting to sabotage the peaceful resumption of work.

“The Osun State Police Command has received credible intelligence indicating that certain unscrupulous politicians are planning to disrupt the peaceful resumption of duties by local government employees at various council secretariats,” the statement read.

The police warned that such plans would not be tolerated.

“Such malicious plans will be met with resolute and decisive action by the command to maintain law and order,” Ojelabi said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Gotan, also issued a clear directive that only bona fide local government staff should be anywhere near council secretariats.

“Any individual who is not a bona fide staff member of the local government authorities must refrain from approaching or loitering around the secretariats,” the police warned.

The command further assured residents that officers have been instructed to deal firmly, professionally and within the law with anyone attempting to incite unrest.

Residents Caught Between Hope and Fear

Despite the assurances, residents across the state remain cautious. Many locals told Akahi News that while they welcome the resumption of essential services at the grassroots, they fear a repeat of the violence that claimed lives last year.

Market activities, revenue collection, primary healthcare services and other local government functions have suffered severely during the prolonged shutdown, leaving many communities underserved.

As Monday approaches, all eyes are on Osun State to see whether the return of local government workers will mark a genuine step towards normalcy or reopen old wounds in a crisis that has already cost the state dearly.

For now, the atmosphere remains tense, with security agencies, political actors and labour unions locked in a delicate balance that could determine peace or chaos in the days ahead.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.

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