The internal crisis within Osun State’s local government workforce took a fresh turn on Thursday, as two opposing labour factions marked this year’s May Day separately, laying bare the deep rift over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s bid for a second term.
While the official Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) gathered at Fakunle Comprehensive High School in Osogbo, throwing their weight behind Adeleke’s re-election in 2026, a splinter group known as the Concerned Association of Local Government Workers held a separate event at Olorunda Local Government Secretariat, condemning what they described as partisan alignment by union leaders.
Adekunle Adedayo, who led the breakaway faction, accused recognised labour leaders of abandoning neutrality for personal benefits.
“Union leaders should remain impartial,” he said. “It’s shameful that civil servants are endorsing a second term even before politicians have made their intentions known.”
He alleged that financial inducements may be influencing the leadership’s actions.
“It seems they are being dictated to by those paying them. Unionism should stand for workers’ rights, not political interests,” Adedayo added, calling on other workers to join efforts to reclaim the unions from political interference.
At the same event, Mr. Abiodun Idowu, Chairman of the forum for APC-aligned local government chairmen, praised the group for resisting political pressure.
He promised reforms aimed at improving workers’ welfare, including timely payment of salaries and reinstatement of dismissed teachers, healthcare workers, and O-YES cadets.
“Our commitment is to rebuild trust in the system and ensure local government employees are treated fairly,” Idowu said, pledging enhanced training, improved security, and increased incentives for staff.
Meanwhile, during the pro-Adeleke rally, the NLC Chairman in Osun, Christopher Arapasopo, and TUC Chairman, Abimbola Fasasi, voiced full support for the governor’s re-election, commending his administration’s focus on worker welfare.
“In less than three years, this administration has met nearly all our demands,” Arapasopo said. “Governor Adeleke deserves another term to continue his work.”
Governor Adeleke, while addressing the crowd, announced the release of N4 billion for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He also highlighted recent initiatives, including the regular payment of salaries, promotions, and training programs.
“As of today, April 2025 salaries and allowances have been paid across all cadres,” the governor said, adding that efforts were almost complete on clearing the 30-month backlog of half salaries owed to pensioners under the scheme.