In a significant development for local governance in Osun State, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has publicly commended the state police command for its assurance of adequate security, paving the way for workers to resume duties on Monday, January 5, 2026. This resumption marks a potential end to a prolonged and politically charged crisis that had paralyzed grassroots administration for nearly a year.
The commendation was formally issued in a statement on Saturday by the State NULGE President, Mr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, who highlighted that the police assurance had “reassured workers and strengthened confidence in the ability of security agencies to maintain law and order.” This security guarantee is not a routine matter; it is a critical intervention in a volatile situation where the physical safety of workers at council secretariats had become a genuine concern.
Context: The Root of the Crisis
To understand the weight of this police assurance, one must revisit the crisis that necessitated it. As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), local government administration in Osun has been embroiled in a deep-seated conflict since a February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal judgment in Akure. The core dispute lies in its interpretation:
- The PDP State Government’s Position: Maintains the judgment did not reinstate the sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors elected in 2022.
- The APC’s Position: Insists the ruling unequivocally restored their elected officials to office.
This political stalemate created an environment of uncertainty and potential conflict at the 30 local government area secretariats. Citing imminent security threats to its members, the organized labour unions—the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and NULGE—directed workers to withdraw services starting February 17, 2025. The nearly 11-month hiatus severely impacted service delivery at the grassroots level, affecting areas like primary healthcare, sanitation, and local revenue administration.
A Shift in Stance: From Withdrawal to Resumption
The path to resumption began on December 29, 2025, when NULGE President Ogungbangbe, after “extensive internal consultations,” directed workers to return to work. This decision represents a strategic pivot by the union, prioritizing the restoration of services and relying on state security guarantees. Ogungbangbe reaffirmed the union’s “commitment to peaceful engagement, due process, and responsible unionism,” urging members to cooperate fully with security agencies and conduct themselves lawfully.
The union’s decision received a significant endorsement from Governor Ademola Adeleke, who described it as “patriotic and people-oriented.” In a statement, the Governor noted that the resumption “will herald a new phase of revitalised services and improved social delivery across the state.” He also extended commendations to the Inspector-General of Police and the state police command for their proactive role.
Opposition and Lingering Tensions
However, the move to resume is not without opposition. The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State, which represents the sacked APC chairmen, has voiced strong dissent. In a statement, ALGON Chairman Mr. Samuel Abiodun went as far as urging security agencies to hold the NULGE President “responsible should there be any breach of peace.” This stark warning underscores the lingering political tensions that the police are now tasked with managing. The police assurance, therefore, serves as a crucial buffer between the returning workers and any groups that might seek to disrupt the process, effectively aiming to “forestall anarchy and violence allegedly being plotted by some elements,” as stated by the Governor’s office.
Analysis: The police assurance transcends a simple security detail. It acts as a key confidence-building measure that enables a critical public sector function to restart. For NULGE, it provides the necessary cover to recall its members without appearing to neglect their safety. For the state government, it supports the normalization of operations and service delivery. The true test will be on January 5th and the following days, as the police directive is enforced on the ground to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and sustained resumption of work across all council areas. The situation remains a delicate balance between labour rights, political conflict, and the imperative of public service delivery, with security forces playing the pivotal role of guarantor.
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Victor Adeoti
