The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun has directed civil servants in LGAs across the state to withdraw their services.

 

Christopher Arapasopo, the Osun NLC chairman, announced in a statement that the directive was due to safety concerns.

 

“The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strongly affirm her earlier release notifying all Local Government Area Workers in the State to withdraw their services as a result of the political upheaval within their workplaces, while continuing in their prayers for the state,” the statement reads.

 

“This release further reiterates that our members safety at work is of high priority and we will not allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity.

 

“The Osun State Council of the NLC remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the masses.

 

“We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved state.”

 

BACKGROUND

The NLC directive comes in the wake of the turmoil that trailed the Osun LG election.

 

On February 16, the NLC asked its members to withdraw services in the state, while reaffirming its apolitical stance.

 

At the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, directed the newly elected chairpersons to avoid local government secretariats “to prevent clashes with those forcibly occupying them with police support”.

 

Last week, violence erupted at some LG secretariats in the state after supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and those of the PDP clashed.

 

Bullets were fired during the clash as many residents scampered for safety. At least six persons were shot dead.