- Safiu Kehinde
Reinstated Osun state’s local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have issued a 72-hour resumption deadline to all the council workers across the 30 LGAs.
The Council chairmen who took over the councils prior to Saturday’s election, resumed to their offices on Monday where they reportedly issued the ultimatum.
According to reports, a former Special Adviser on Education to ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Jamiu Olawumi, stated that had issued directives for local government staff to return to work by Wednesday.
“All chairmen and councillors have resumed in all local governments and area councils in Osun State, including Irewole Local Government.
“The local governments and local council development areas are active and vibrant.
“Security is very tight, with responsible police officers, DSS, and Civil Defence personnel carrying out their duties as instructed by the Inspector General of Police.
“Most of the chairmen have issued press releases this morning instructing their workers to resume by Wednesday at the latest. After Wednesday, if they fail to return, their employment status will be determined. The ultimatum stands at 72 hours,” he said.
NPO reported that the Osun state chapter of the National Labour Congress (NLC) had earlier directed all its workers across the councils to steer clear of the secretariats over the ongoing legal tussle between the APC LG chairmen and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Osun governor had at, his assumption to office in 2022, signed an executive order affirming the Osun Federal High Court sacking of all the APC council leaders.
However, an Appeal Court ruling earlier this month reinstated the sacked LG Chairmen and Councillors which was met with strong disapproval by the PDP.
This led to the violence reported in the state last week Monday with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Nigerian Police Force charging Adeleke and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to suspend the scheduled election.
Defying the warning, OSSIEC proceeded with the election which saw the PDP winning all available seats.
However, Adeleke, had urged the newly elected chairmen and councillors who were sworn in yesterday, to steer clear of the council secretariats till further notice.