The protracted industrial action by the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has continued to stir heated reactions, as both the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the union exchanged sharp words on Wednesday over the deepening crisis in the state’s judiciary.
Judicial operations in Osun State have been paralysed for more than 41 days following an indefinite strike embarked upon by JUSUN members on 19 September 2025. The industrial action, led by the union’s chairman, Comrade Idris Adedayo Adeniran, was triggered by alleged delays in staff promotions for 2024 and 2025, alongside other long-standing welfare grievances.
In a statement issued by the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mr Kola Olabisi, the party berated Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration for what it described as “the collapse of the judiciary” under his watch.
According to the APC, the prolonged strike symbolises a failure of governance and constitutes a grave violation of citizens’ rights. The statement read in part: “The absence of exercise of judicial powers in Osun State for the past 41 days signifies anarchy and a collective breach of citizens’ fundamental rights to have their affairs decided by a court of competent jurisdiction.”
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The opposition maintained that the paralysis of judicial activities had deprived residents of access to justice and inflicted severe hardship on lawyers and litigants with pending cases. The party further accused the Adeleke administration of showing indifference to the constitutional and security implications of the crisis, warning that “lawlessness and disorder have taken root” as suspects remain detained without trial.
“It is an act of governmental irresponsibility for any state executive to look away while Sections 6 and 230 of the 1999 Constitution are being flagrantly breached,” the APC added.
However, JUSUN swiftly countered the APC’s accusations, dismissing them as “political opportunism and hypocrisy.” In a counter-statement signed by Comrade Adeniran, the union insisted that its strike was not politically motivated but a legitimate demand for justice, fair treatment, and improved welfare.
“The APC’s criticism of the Adeleke-led government is rich, given their own failure to deliver in Osun State,” Adeniran said. “Our strike is a desperate cry for attention to our legitimate demands, including overdue promotions and welfare matters. The opposition should stop politicising our struggles and instead encourage dialogue.”
The JUSUN chairman urged the APC to engage constructively with judicial authorities and called for public understanding, reaffirming the union’s commitment to peaceful resolution through dialogue.
As the strike drags on with no clear end in sight, courtrooms across Osun remain locked, detainees continue to languish in custody without trial, and concerns grow over the long-term impact of the crisis on the rule of law in the state.
