Reinstated local government chairmen in Osun State, Nigeria, have announced plans to recall over 1,500 dismissed workers and clear outstanding salary arrears owed to traditional rulers. This development comes after the release of withheld federal allocations to councils in September. The funds had been withheld since February 2025 due to a leadership dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Abiodun Idowu, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the APC faction, the reinstated chairmen are committed to restoring effective grassroots governance across the state. Idowu reaffirmed that the APC-led executives are the legitimate administrators of the 30 local government councils and the area office, as affirmed by the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025.
The APC chairmen have concluded plans to re-engage the 1,500 workers disengaged by the present administration, including teachers, health workers, O’YES cadets, and O’Meal vendors employed under the former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration. Idowu stated that beyond recalling them, the chairmen will also offset part of their salaries and emoluments. Additionally, arrangements have been made to clear arrears owed to traditional rulers, with the chairmen considering the welfare of monarchs critical to local administration and community peace.
Idowu accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly using the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other affiliated groups to obstruct the release of the federal allocations meant for councils. He argued that the funds could have alleviated financial pressures affecting the councils, traditional rulers, teachers, and health workers if released earlier.
The ALGON chairman dismissed claims that the APC-led council executives were attempting to divert local government funds through unauthorized deductions, describing such reports as baseless fabrications aimed at discrediting their return to office. Idowu urged residents of the state to remain calm and supportive, promising that the restored local government leadership would focus on community development, job creation, and restoring public confidence in local governance.
The release of the withheld federal allocations is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s local government administration, allowing the reinstated chairmen to implement their plans and address the outstanding issues. With the APC-led executives back in office, the state’s residents can expect improvements in grassroots governance and service delivery.
