By Gbenga Adeniyi
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Honorable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has condemned the withdrawal of services by local government workers, calling it unfortunate and unnecessary.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye described the workers’ action as a move that has thrown local councils into administrative paralysis, inflicting hardship on residents at the grassroots.
He urged them to return to work immediately to prevent further collapse of essential services.
“For over a month, key services in local government areas have been crippled due to this strike.
Clinics, primary health care centres, marriage registries, and administrative offices have been shut down, leaving pregnant women, students, and job seekers stranded,” he said.
The former lawmaker argued that since elected council chairmen are in place, there is no justification for workers to abandon their duties.
He called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state to resist being used to frustrate local government administration.
“These unions are supposed to be apolitical. Their duty is to serve the government in power, not to disrupt governance,” he added.
To ensure workers’ safety upon resumption, Oyintiloye said council chairmen would collaborate with security agencies to maintain order.
He assured that any crisis in the local councils had been contained, creating a peaceful environment for workers to return.
Commending members of the Association of Concerned Local Government Staff for their readiness to resume work, he warned the state government against using divide and rule tactics to weaken local government administration.
