The political and labour atmosphere in Osun State has taken a dramatic turn, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) accusing Governor Ademola Adeleke of plotting to divert local government allocations, even as a faction of council workers declared war on their union leaders and vowed to resume work.
APC Raises Alarm Over Adeleke’s Priorities
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC lambasted Adeleke for allegedly scheming to seize funds meant for local councils while ignoring the recent killing of three youths in Akinlalu, Ife North.
According to the party, the killings were carried out by Amotekun operatives acting on the orders of their commander, Kunle Omoyele. Residents of the community, however, dismissed claims that the security outfit was ambushed, insisting that Akinlalu remains a peaceful town with no history of criminal gangs.
“The Adeleke government is more interested in council money than in protecting lives,” the APC alleged.
Council Workers Break Ranks With NULGE
Meanwhile, the crisis over the seven-month-old strike by local government workers has taken a new twist.
The Association of Concerned Local Government Workers of Osun State, led by Adebayo Adekunle, announced in Osogbo that its members would resume duties on Monday, October 6, defying the strike order of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
Adekunle accused NULGE president Nathaniel Ogungbangbe of selling out the workers:
“Ogungbangbe has used this strike to enrich himself. He alone called the strike, which has crippled local governance. Enough is enough. We will work with reinstated APC-aligned council chairmen and return to our offices.”
He added that many workers had suffered health complications from prolonged idleness, insisting that the insecurity excuse was no longer valid.
“We are the true landlords of council secretariats. Landlords don’t abandon their houses for pests and animals to take over,” he declared.
Union Leaders Push Back
Reacting, Ogungbangbe warned workers not to resume, arguing that safety concerns remained and that ongoing court battles over council leadership must be respected.
