The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, has warned that the directive instructing local government workers to resume duties on January 5, 2026, could trigger fresh unrest and disrupt the prevailing peace across the state.
The warning was issued on Tuesday in Osogbo by the ALGON Chairman, Mr. Samuel Abiodun, who said the proposed resumption, if not carefully managed, could “lead to a breakdown of law and order”.
Mr. Abiodun was reacting to a statement by the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, directing workers to return to work after months of a sit-at-home action. He warned that security agencies should “hold Ogungbangbe responsible should there be any breach of peace or violence” arising from the resumption of activities at council offices.
Mr. Ogungbangbe had, on February 17, directed local government workers to withdraw their services and stay away from council secretariats, citing what he described as a volatile security situation. According to him, the tension stemmed from a leadership tussle and political rivalry between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over control of local government secretariats across the state.
Explaining the new directive, Mr. Ogungbangbe said the union had “reached an internal resolution” and resolved that its members would return to work on January 5.
However, ALGON expressed strong reservations about the decision. Mr. Abiodun described the resumption call as “a guise to perpetrate evil and cause mayhem”, alleging that it could undermine the relative peace that returned following the reinstatement of APC council chairmen and councillors. He urged NULGE executives to “desist from acts capable of undermining unity and tranquillity at the grassroots”.
The ALGON chairman also appealed to APC chairmen and other political office holders to “remain firm and retain full control of their councils” until the courts finally determine the tenure dispute.
The crisis in Osun local governments intensified after a February 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure. In the aftermath of the ruling, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and NULGE withdrew workers from council offices on February 17, citing concerns for their safety.
