A faction within the labour movement in Osun State, known as the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers, marked this year’s May Day celebration with a politically charged rally in Osogbo, where it openly endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
The rally, held at the premises of Olorunda Local Government Area in Igbona, saw participation from various groups of formal and informal workers, many of whom were dressed in coordinated uniforms. The event also featured a ceremonial march past by members of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), while the Osun factional Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Samuel Idowu, took the salute.
In his address, the coordinator of the association, Adedayo Adekunle, used the occasion to call for urgent reforms in public sector employment practices. He strongly criticised the increasing reliance on casual and temporary staffing, describing it as “barbaric, enslaving and unattractive to the best brains.”
Adekunle insisted that government institutions must prioritise permanent employment over short-term arrangements, arguing that job insecurity undermines productivity and worker morale. He also stressed the importance of workplace safety, noting that adequate protection measures should be non-negotiable in all government establishments.
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He further called for improved social dialogue between workers and political leaders, warning that neglecting workers’ demands often leads to industrial disputes. “The era of treating workers as servants is over,” he said. “We are now partners in delivering social goods and in decisions on governance and development.”
In a significant political declaration, Adekunle announced the association’s endorsement of the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election. He directed members of the association to support his candidacy and work towards ensuring his victory at the polls.
Responding on behalf of the political leadership, Samuel Idowu assured workers that their welfare remains a priority for local government authorities. He pledged improved salary payment structures, better working conditions, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced infrastructure across council areas.
Idowu also highlighted what he described as achievements recorded under APC-led councils, including the payment of salary arrears owed to traditional rulers, empowerment schemes reaching at least 1,500 people per local government, and the rehabilitation of road networks. He added that security agencies had also benefited from the provision of motorcycles and operational vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Osun State held a separate May Day celebration at another venue in Osogbo, reflecting divisions within the labour movement.
The contrasting events underscored ongoing tensions between labour factions and differing political alignments within the state’s workforce.
