In a major political and administrative development, reinstated local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have announced plans to recall more than 1,500 dismissed workers and settle outstanding salary arrears owed to traditional rulers.
The decision follows the release of withheld federal allocations to the councils after months of political disputes between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The federal government had withheld the funds since February 2025 due to a leadership tussle. However, the allocations were eventually released in September into the accounts managed by the APC faction.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Friday, the Chairman of the APC faction of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abiodun Idowu, said the chairmen were committed to restoring grassroots governance and addressing long-standing financial challenges.
Idowu emphasized that the reinstated APC executives remain 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.
“Our mandate, freely given by the people of Osun State during the October 2022 local government elections, was temporarily interrupted but now restored by the court. We are back to serve and deliver dividends of democracy at the grassroots,” he declared.
Plans for Workers’ Recall
Idowu disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to re-engage the 1,500 workers dismissed by the present administration, including teachers, health workers, O’YES cadets, and O’Meal vendors employed under the former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration.
“Plans are ongoing to recall and re-engage the 1,500 teachers employed by the last APC government but sacked by the current administration. We will also recall the dismissed health workers, O’YES cadets, and O’Meal vendors. Beyond recalling them, we will offset part of their salaries and emoluments. This is a policy statement, not politics,” Idowu stated.
Traditional Rulers’ Welfare
The APC chairmen also pledged to clear accumulated arrears owed to traditional rulers, stressing that monarchs’ welfare is vital to local administration and peace across Osun communities.
“The traditional rulers will also benefit from this new development as we have concluded plans to clear their outstanding allowances and entitlements,” he assured.
Accusations Against Adeleke’s Government
Idowu further accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of using the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other groups to frustrate the release of the funds.
He alleged that the delay in releasing the allocations worsened financial strain across councils and deprived traditional rulers, teachers, and health workers of timely payments.
“Those funds were meant to drive local development, but political interference delayed their release,” he claimed.
Commitment to Development
Dismissing reports that the APC-led executives planned to mismanage local government funds, Idowu described such allegations as politically motivated.
He urged Osun residents to remain calm, assuring that the restored leadership would prioritize community development, job creation, and rebuilding public confidence in local governance.
all is politics