Reinstated Osun LG chairmen issue 72-hour ultimatum to striking workers

The contest for power at the third tier of government in Osun state deepens as the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its reinstated chairmen, Monday, issued a 72-hour ultimatum to local government workers across the state.

Reading the riot act, the party said any local government worker, who refused to heed the ultimatum by Wednesday, should consider him or herself sacked.

Besides, the APC also alleged Governor Ademola Adeleke of planning to instigate violence through non-state actors despite his directive to the newly elected council chairmen to stay off the local government secretariats.

APC Director of Media and Information Kola Olabisi said this in a statement issued Monday in Osogbo.

The statement claimed the governor’s directive to the newly elected chairmen was deceitful.

“Intelligence available at our disposal indicates that the governor’s political dynasty, currently headed by business mogul Dr Deji Adeleke, is displeased with the national embarrassment following the charade election conducted by the government,” the statement read.

Olabisi said the directive for the illegal chairmen to stay away from council secretariats was a “smokescreen,” accusing Adeleke and his party of plotting to foment trouble and frame the legally reinstated chairmen.

The statement also alleged Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed, and that of Oyo state, Governor Seyi Makinde as being part of the ‘destabilisation plot’ in the state.

The APC further claimed Makinde had mobilised thugs from Ibadan to Osogbo during the inauguration of the “illegal council chairmen, while Mohammed reportedly secured support from a PDP governor to deploy Niger Delta militants to the state.

It added that the alleged militants, disguised in security uniforms, were being positioned to intimidate citizens and abduct opposition members to create fear and chaos.

It further said the Amotekun Corps would also provide cover for the alleged militants by supplying them with hooded clothing and masks to conceal their identities.

Olabisi called on citizens of the state including workers and traders, to remain vigilant and urged security forces to step up efforts to protect the people from potential violence.

…NLC kicks

But the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has said there is no going back on their earlier decision to  stay off the duty post, saying its members safety matters most.

In a statement Monday in Osogbo, the NLC, through its chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, said: “The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strongly affirm her earlier release notifying all Local Government Area Workers in the State to withdraw their services as a result of the political upheaval within their workplaces still subsist, while continuing in their prayers for the state.

“This release further reiterates that our members’ safety at work is of high priority and we will not allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“The Osun State Council of the NLC remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the masses. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved state.”