By CivicPulseNg
Osogbo, August 2, 2025
Frustration is mounting among members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Osun State, as the sit-at-home order directed by the union continues into its sixth month.
The action, which began shortly after the February 10 Appeal Court judgment that reinstated elected APC chairmen and councillors across Osun’s local governments, has left thousands of workers idle and unpaid — and many are now demanding answers.
In a leaked voice message now circulating on social media, angry union members were heard daring the union president to either announce the resumption of work or face mass defiance.
“Let the president declare resumption or we will resume by force. People are hungry. Our families are suffering. What’s the endgame?” one worker asked in the recording obtained by CivicPulseNg.
Many observers believe NULGE’s continued strike is politically motivated, alleging that the union is acting in defense of the ruling PDP’s interest rather than the rights of workers. The union’s silence since the court ruling has sparked outrage and accusations of betrayal.
A political analyst who spoke with CivicPulseNg said:
NULGE is acting more like an arm of the PDP than a neutral workers’ union. The local government system should be politically independent, especially now that we are pushing for full LG autonomy.”
Although the Appeal Court’s decision was a legal victory for the APC, critics are questioning why NULGE, which is supposed to prioritize staff welfare, is still keeping its members at home without pay or a clear direction.
This strike no longer makes sense,” a civic commentator added. “Why keep workers at home when there’s no explanation and no legal basis for it anymore?”
Some affected workers also expressed disappointment in the union’s leadership.
“No one is updating us. Our children have been sent home from school because we can’t pay fees. We’re tired of being used for politics,” a worker told CivicPulseNg.
All efforts to reach the state NULGE leadership for comment proved unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned at the time of filing this report.
This growing unrest is raising broader concerns about the role of labour unions in Nigeria and their vulnerability to political influence. With local government autonomy gaining momentum, many believe unions like NULGE must rise above party politics and focus on the core responsibility of protecting their members.
As pressure builds, the key question is: will NULGE choose the path of transparency and constitutional order — or continue in a direction that alienates the very workers it was created to defend?
