The lingering industrial action by the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, has continued to attract strong reactions as both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the union exchanged statements on Wednesday over the state of the judiciary.
The crisis, which has paralysed judicial activities for over 41 days, began when JUSUN members, led by Comrade Idris Adedayo Adeniran, embarked on an indefinite strike on September 19, 2025.
The strike followed grievances relating to the delay in staff promotions for 2024 and 2025 and long-standing welfare issues.
In a press statement signed by the Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the opposition party criticised the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke for the collapse of the judiciary in the state.
The APC said the prolonged strike represented the epitome of failure of the present government, alleging that the absence of judicial activities for more than a month amounted to a violation of citizens’ rights.
According to the statement, “The absence of exercise of judicial powers in Osun State for the past 41 days signifies anarchy and a collective breach of citizens’ fundamental rights to have their affairs decided by a court of competent jurisdiction.”
The party maintained that the situation had left the judiciary in a state of paralysis, affecting access to justice and inflicting hardship on legal practitioners and citizens whose cases remained pending before the courts.
It further stated, “It is an act of governmental irresponsibility for any state executive to look away while Sections 6 and 230 of the 1999 Constitution are being fragrantly breached without any plan to end it in sight.”
The APC accused the Adeleke-led administration of being unconcerned about the constitutional and security implications of the strike, alleging that lawlessness and disorder had taken root as a result.
The statement also lamented that suspects were languishing in police cells and correctional facilities without trial due to the total shutdown of court operations across the state.
Earlier, the Osun State Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, responded to the APC’s allegations, describing the opposition’s comments as political opportunism and hypocrisy.
In its own statement signed by Comrade Idris Adedayo Adeniran, the union said the strike was not politically motivated but a legitimate call for justice, fair treatment, and improved welfare of judicial staff.
Adeniran stated, “The APC’s criticism of the Adeleke-led government is rich, given their own failure to deliver in Osun State. The JUSUN strike is a desperate cry for attention to our legitimate demands, including the 2024 and 2025 promotions and long-standing welfare issues.”
The JUSUN chairman accused the opposition party of exaggerating the situation and urged it to engage the judiciary authorities directly rather than politicising workers’ grievances.
He added, “We challenge the APC to provide evidence of any government that has done more for the judiciary in Osun State. Instead of politicising the issue, the APC should urge the honourable Chief Judge to engage with us and address our demands.”
Adeniran reaffirmed the union’s commitment to peaceful dialogue and urged members of the public to support their cause for fairness and improved working conditions within the state’s judiciary.