NLC and NULGE Join Forces to Protest Rising Political Unrest in Osun State
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to comply with the recent Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated the sacked council chairmen and councillors in the state. The APC strongly criticized the governor’s dismissive reaction, claiming it was a direct challenge to the judiciary. They warned that such actions could incite serious socio-political unrest and called on the governor to stop playing the victim.
At a press conference in Osogbo on Sunday, APC State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal expressed his party’s deep concerns over the state government’s reaction to the court’s ruling. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the judgment without further delay, urging the governor to stop seeking public sympathy and focus on ensuring the protection of the reinstated officials.
“The judgment is clear, and it must be obeyed. Governor Adeleke should not be allowed to undermine the law,” Lawal said. He stressed that this is a constitutional matter, one that requires strict legal compliance, not political maneuvering.
Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola, the APC’s State Legal Adviser, condemned the state government for misinterpreting the court’s decision. He accused Adeleke’s administration of attempting to twist the judgment for political gain, particularly in their allegations against former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and President Bola Tinubu. Ogunsola dismissed the governor’s claims that Oyetola was using his relationship with the president to manipulate law enforcement agencies, calling them baseless.
The APC also urged security agencies to step in and prevent any potential escalation of violence, pointing to the governor’s inflammatory rhetoric as a possible catalyst for unrest. Former Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi and other key APC figures also joined the call, warning Adeleke that he would be held accountable if the situation led to violence.
In his own press conference on Sunday, Governor Adeleke accused Oyetola of attempting to orchestrate a forceful takeover of local councils, claiming that security forces were being directed to act based on a “non-existent judgment.” He labeled these actions a deliberate attempt to sow chaos and undermine democratic processes in the state. He further claimed that the reinstatement request had been dismissed by the Court of Appeal as an academic exercise, with no consequential order issued.
Adeleke called on President Tinubu to intervene, urging him to direct security agencies to disregard any illegal directives from Oyetola. He also alleged that Oyetola was leveraging his ties to the president to manipulate state security forces for his political agenda.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) took a bold step by directing its members in local government secretariats to withdraw their services starting Monday, citing concerns over the escalating political tensions. The NLC urged all political parties to respect the rule of law and called on security agencies to ensure peace.
Similarly, the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) followed suit, instructing its members to close all local government secretariats in the state until further notice, amid rising fears for the safety of workers.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Governor Adeleke, the APC, and the judiciary as they navigate the growing unrest in Osun State. The next steps could determine not only the fate of the reinstated officials but the stability of the state’s political landscape.
