Reinstated local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have announced plans to recall over 1,500 workers dismissed by the current administration, and to clear outstanding salary arrears owed to traditional rulers.
This follows the release of previously withheld federal allocations to local councils, which had been suspended since February 2025 due to a leadership tussle between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The funds were finally disbursed in September into accounts controlled by the APC chairmen, after a prolonged legal and political standoff.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Friday, Chairman of the APC faction of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abiodun Idowu, reaffirmed the legitimacy of the reinstated chairmen, citing the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on 10 February 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,” Idowu declared.
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He said the chairmen had concluded plans to reinstate the 1,500 workers dismissed by the PDP-led administration. These include teachers, health workers, O’YES cadets, and O’Meal vendors, all of whom were employed under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s government.
“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.
He further disclosed that arrangements had been made to clear arrears owed to traditional rulers, describing their welfare as vital to effective local governance and community harmony.
“The traditional rulers will also benefit from the new development as we have concluded plans to clear their outstanding allowances and entitlements,” he said.
Idowu, however, accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of obstructing the release of the federal funds by allegedly deploying the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other affiliated bodies to frustrate the process.
He claimed that earlier access to the funds would have mitigated financial challenges faced by councils, workers, and monarchs.
“Those funds were meant to drive local development, but political interference delayed their release,” he said.
Responding to allegations of financial impropriety, Idowu dismissed reports that the APC-led council executives were attempting to divert funds through unauthorised deductions as “baseless fabrications” designed to undermine their return to office.
He called for calm and cooperation from the public, assuring that the reinstated chairmen were committed to delivering on grassroots development, job creation, and the restoration of public trust in local governance.
