- APC-elected LG chairmen in Osun resumed duties at their secretariats, despite ongoing political tensions
- Heavy security was deployed across the state, including roadblocks and checkpoints
- Governor Adeleke had previously directed chairmen and councillors not to resume amid the dispute
Chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 2022 Osun Local Government elections returned to their respective council secretariats on Monday, amid heightened security.
Council officials resumed work at various secretariats, including in Ikirun (Ifelodun Local Government), Igbona (Olorunda Local Government), and Oke-Baale (Osogbo Local Government), despite ongoing tensions.
A heavy security presence was visible across the state, with armed police officers and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel stationed at roadblocks leading to the secretariats.
Checkpoints were also set up along major routes, including the Osogbo/Kwara boundary and Osogbo/Ilesa roads.
Jamiu Olawumi, a former Special Advidser on Education to ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, confirmed that chairmen and councillors resumed work across all 30 local government areas, with directives for staff to return by Wednesday.
Olawumi stated, "All chairmen and councillors have resumed in all local governments and area councils in Osun State. Local governments are active, and security is tight with officers from the police, DSS, and Civil Defence present."
However, Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier directed elected chairmen and councillors not to resume at their council offices following the Saturday elections, amid an ongoing dispute between his administration and the APC.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had also instructed local government workers to stay home during the tensions.
LGs should manage their funds, Supreme Court rules in local government autonomy suit
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that In a led judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday, July 12, the seven-man panel unanimously said it was unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The court ruled that since paying local governments through states had not worked, their allocation from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to them.
