‘We Would Have Been In Hot Soup’ - Osun Workers Celebrate Adeleke’s Win, Labour Leaders Hail Poll

 

‘We Would Have Been In Hot Soup’ - Osun Workers Celebrate Adeleke’s Win, Labour Leaders Hail Poll

Seyi Akanni | OSOGBO 17/08/2026

Civil servants in Osun State on Monday shut down the state secretariat in Abere, Osogbo, to celebrate Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election. The workers, clad in yellow caps of the victorious Accord Party, sang, danced and trooped into the streets, saying the victory saved them from what they described as imminent victimisation by the opposition All Progressives Congress.

Many of the workers told Coded News that they had lived in fear during the campaign period, unable to openly show support for Adeleke. They alleged that the APC had threatened that Adeleke’s supporters would be punished if the party lost, a stance they described as aggressive and intimidating. The election outcome, they said, brought relief and vindication for their silent support at the polls.

Labour leaders joined the celebrations and addressed the jubilant crowd. Osun NUJ Chairman, Comrade Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin, commended workers for their steadfastness and urged them to remain hardworking. NULGE President, Comrade Kehinde Ogunbangbe, described the victory as one for labour and all Osun indigenes, warning that workers would have faced “hot soup” had the opposition won.

Ogunbangbe alleged that the APC had mapped out actions against the pro-Adeleke workforce and accused the party of creating the lingering local government crisis in the state. He recalled that the 12 years of APC rule stagnated civil servants and insisted that labour decided not to support the opposition’s activities. He also gave thanks that attempts to rig the election failed, saying it would have thrown the state into anarchy.

The Osun NLC Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, said workers, pensioners and residents came out to thank God for the outcome. He noted that history had repeated itself with victories against past administrations that did not prioritize workers’ welfare. Arapasopo concluded that any government that takes care of workers will always be favoured by them, describing the election as a victory for democracy and peace in Osun.