The Osun State Chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has announced January 5, 2026, as the resumption date for its members at the local government secretariats across the state.

Dr. Kehinde Ogungbamigbe, NULGE President in the state, who made this known in a letter of notification, requested that security protection be sent to all security agencies in Osogbo on Monday.

According to him, “The decision followed a series of security council meetings to deliberate on security guarantees and successful resumption of work at the grassroots.”

The statement stressed, “As you are aware, our members were asked to withdraw their services and embark on a sit-at home action following the volatile security situation arising from the leadership tussle and rival political friction between PDP and APC over the control of Local Government Secretariats in Osun State. To safeguard the lives of our members, we had no choice but to vacate these premises.”

“However, following internal deliberations, the Union has resolved that its members shall resume work on Monday, 5th January, 2026. To ensure this resumption does not lead to a breakdown of law and order or result in physical harm to our members, we formally request the deployment of sufficient security personnel to all 30 Local Government Councils, Area offices and LCDAs Secretariats to forestall violence and provide a secure working environment.”

The union, however, made some demands on security agencies which are “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 (which forms part of the judicial record) 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.”

“Pending Litigation: These individuals have approached the Federal High Court, Osogbo in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/147/2025- Onibonokuta Saheed & 7 Ors v. AGF & 5 Ors, seeking an extension of their tenure. This action confirms their awareness that their time in office has lapsed. Rather than awaiting the court’s decision, they have resorted to the illegal occupation of secretariats.”

“Constitutional Violation: The current forcible occupation of public facilities by these individuals is a direct violation of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits any person or group from taking control of any part of the government except in accordance with the law.”

“Risk to Civil Servants: Local Government employees are law-abiding citizens. The current environment is highly volatile. Our members cannot be expected to navigate through unauthorized persons “occupying” their places of work without the protection of the Law.”

“Running of the Local Government Secretariats: The 30 Local Government councils, Area offices and LCDAs Secretariats can be effectively run, without any Chairmen/Councillors by the Head of Local Administration (HLA), with the Director of Administration & General Services and Director of Finance, serving as the duly recognized signatories to the local government accounts under the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law 2025.”

“Our Prayers: 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; Prevent any further illegal occupation of these secretariats by unauthorized persons to ensure public peace; Ensure that the Security Agencies maintains its neutrality and upholds the rule of law by protecting public servants from self-help tactics.”

The union, however, further warned that should there be any breakdown of law and order due to a failure to provide security, this correspondence shall be relied upon as evidence that the Union duly alerted the security agencies to the impending danger. (Nigerian Tribune)

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