Local government workers in Osun State have rejected the 72-hour ultimatum issued to them to resume work, amid ongoing political...
Local government workers in Osun State have rejected the 72-hour ultimatum issued to them to resume work, amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
A chieftain of the APC, Jamiu Olawumi, announced on Monday that reinstated local government chairmen had directed workers—who had been instructed by the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to stay away from work since January 27—to resume within 72 hours or risk losing their jobs.
In response, the NLC leadership firmly rejected the ultimatum, insisting that workers would not return under conditions of insecurity. The state NLC Chairperson, Christopher Arapasopo, emphasized that their directive to withdraw services remains in force to ensure the safety of workers.
“We cannot allow workers to operate in an atmosphere of insecurity,” Arapasopo stated. “If we had not intervened last week when some individuals forcefully broke into the Secretariat, the situation could have escalated further.”
He reaffirmed that the earlier directive for local government workers to stay away from work remains valid, as their safety is the top priority. The union also called on all political actors to respect the rule of law to prevent a descent into chaos.
“The sacked chairmen have no authority to intimidate, threaten, or instruct our members to resume work,” he added. “We will not be silenced by any desperate attempts to coerce us.”
The Osun State NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) remain resolute in their commitment to protecting the rights of workers, pensioners, and the general public.
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