Osun APC Accuses Adeleke Govt Of Victimising LG Workers

…Demands Disbandment of Investigative Committee

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly victimising and intimidating some Local Government workers over their perceived political affiliations.

The party, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, described the alleged treatment of the workers as “Inhuman, barbaric and unconstitutional,” urging the governor to immediately disband a committee reportedly investigating the affected council employees.

According to the APC, the Local Government Service Commission, under the chairmanship of Tunji Adeleke Jnr., has constituted a committee to investigate some local government workers suspected of supporting the opposition party during the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The party alleged that some of the affected workers had been invited before an investigative and disciplinary panel at the Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo, where they were reportedly questioned about their political activities.

The APC further alleged that some of the workers were instructed to bring their mobile phones to the panel, where the devices were reportedly examined for communications or transactions that could indicate contact with members or supporters of the opposition party.

It also claimed that questions were allegedly raised about some workers’ banking relationships, including accounts with United Bank for Africa (UBA), against the backdrop of the ongoing dispute between the state government and some local government officials over the administration of council funds and federal allocations.

The party said the alleged exercise had raised concerns about the extent to which an administrative investigation could legitimately extend into the political activities and private communications of public servants.

“It is inhuman, barbaric and unconstitutional for any government to victimise, oppress or dehumanise its workers because of their political affiliation or choice,” the statement said.

The APC maintained that workers should be allowed to discharge their official responsibilities without being subjected to political intimidation, arguing that the constitutional right of citizens to participate in political activities should not become a basis for workplace victimisation.

The party further alleged that some of the affected council workers had been threatened with possible suspension, dismissal or other disciplinary measures because of their perceived support for the APC.

The controversy comes amid the prolonged dispute over the administration and control of the 30 local government councils in Osun State, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC-backed council officials maintaining opposing positions on the matter.

The APC also recalled that, in May 2026, an organisation known as the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers had alleged that more than 400 council employees were suspended or removed from the state payroll over their alleged association with APC-backed local government officials.

The party, however, said the latest allegations regarding the examination of workers’ phones and bank transactions raised broader questions about the boundaries between legitimate administrative procedures and political surveillance.

“Punishing a public servant for exercising his or her political choice at the ballot box is beyond the constitutional authority of any tier of government,” the APC said, adding that Nigeria’s electoral system is based on secret voting.

The party therefore called on Governor Adeleke to reactivate the accounts of any local government workers whose salary payment arrangements had allegedly been disrupted and to halt what it described as “needless intimidation” of council employees.

It also urged the governor to disband the committee, which it described as acting “ultra vires,” and allow local government workers to perform their duties without political pressure.

The APC said ending the alleged practice would help promote stability in the local government system and restore confidence among public servants across the state.