Despite warnings from the Oyo state governor, the sacked local government chairmen in Oyo State, on Monday, took control of administrative activities at their respective local governments in the state, amidst tight security
The governors has been locked in a disagreement with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)in the state, following a supreme court order that nullified the governor’s sacking of the local government chairmen who were elected under former Governor Abiola Ajimobi
In his bid to reconstitute the local government administration, Governor Makinde had in December 2019 appointed caretaker chairmen for LGAs and LCDAs to fill the void despite the various cases instituted by both parties. ‘
But following the Supreme Court order, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami had in a letter issued last week asked Governor Makinde to allow the elected chairmen to return to office
Following the Attorney Generals order was another letter from the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to the ALGON Chairman in the state, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, and the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, informing them that the Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, has been directed to lead the returning chairmen to their respective council secretariats.
But the governor had insisted that the chairmen would remain sacked, pending the determination of the matter which he said is still in court
The AUTHORITY gathered that in Ibarapa North East LCDA, Lanlate, have it that Mr. Lanre Olaosegba resumed at the council secretariat with his councillors.
Also, Barr. Daud Suleiman Abayomi of Ogbomoso Central LCDA resumed with his councillors. Abayom said the gate to the secretariat and his office were padlocked but they were broken, adding that policemen were at the entrance
Meanwhile the Oyo state national Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) ensured that their threatened strike action against the refusal of Governor Makinde to allow the sacked local government chairmen to return o work, when they blocked the gates of some local government area to prevent workers from entering the premises
Workers of Ibadan West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Ibadan North-West Local Government, both in Ibadan metropolis, were not allowed into the council secretariats on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workers were locked out, following the directive by the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) that they should stay away from duty.
The entrance gate to Ibadan North-West council was under lock and key, while workers were seen in groups discussing the development outside the council premises. Also, the personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
