A faction of Osun State local government workers yesterday announced plans to ignore a national strike called by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and resume duties on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Speaking at a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo, the group which calls itself the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers of Osun State accused NULGE’s leadership under Nathaniel Ogungbangbe of abandoning members’ interests and alleged that the strike was motivated by personal gain.

The coordinator of the concerned workers, Adebayo Adekunle, said Ogungbangbe “unilaterally called the strike which has collapsed local administration in the state,” describing the industrial action as “useless.”

He urged council staff to report for duty next week and said reinstated council chairmen from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would begin paying salaries and running local government affairs.

“We are using this medium to inform all workers to resume next week Monday or lose their jobs,” Adekunle told reporters, adding that a staff audit would be carried out on resumption.

He asked workers to bring their appointment letters, confirmation letters and promotion documents for verification, warning that those who fail to show up risk dismissal.

Adekunle also accused NULGE’s leadership of corruption, saying journalists “should do your findings, you will discover the assets he has gotten since this needless strike began.” The group said prolonged idleness had left many staff medically and financially strained.

The concerned workers framed their decision to return to work as apolitical and lawful. “For the fact that legal actions are ongoing, does not mean we should abscond from our primary assignment,” Adekunle said, arguing that pending court matters including an election tribunal dispute should not prevent civil servants from carrying out their duties.

He described the current situation as a “misnomer in the history of NULGE,” accusing Ogungbangbe’s leadership of “wickedness, insensitivities [and] cowardice,” and warned that members’ patience was exhausted. Adekunle urged security agencies to remain alert and cautioned that any violence against returning workers would be met with “serious reprisal.”

The association also confirmed it would appear before the National Industrial Court on October 22, 2025 over matters related to NULGE’s internal elections and alleged irregularities.

NULGE and Nathaniel Ogungbangbe did not immediately respond to requests for comment at the time of the press briefing.