Organised Labour in Osun State has warned that it may not support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027 over the continued withholding of statutory allocations meant for local governments in the state. The labour movement stated that the prolonged financial crisis has subjected local government workers, pensioners, and their families to severe hardship. The Osun State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, made the position known on Monday while reading a press conference address on behalf of Organised Labour.
The declaration coincided with the commencement of a three-day sympathy strike by Organised Labour in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over the continued withholding of local government allocations since February 2025. The labour movement said workers could no longer be expected to support political interests when their welfare and legitimate entitlements remained under threat. The strike began at midnight on Sunday, November 8, and is expected to end at midnight on Wednesday, November 11.
The labour movement stressed that its loyalty remained with the working class and the people it represented, warning that political support should not be taken for granted. "Workers' support is neither automatic nor unconditional; it must be earned through policies and actions that protect their welfare and dignity," the statement said. Although Organised Labour acknowledged Governor Ademola Adeleke's commitment to Tinubu's re-election, it maintained that workers' welfare should not be subordinated to the political preferences of individuals.
Organised Labour also announced plans to begin peaceful picketing of United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches across the state over the disputed disbursement of local government allocations. Among its demands are the immediate release of outstanding statutory allocations, an end to further payments into what it described as illegal UBA accounts, and guarantees for the protection of workers' salaries and other legitimate entitlements.
The labour movement called on the Federal and Osun State governments to urgently intervene and resolve the crisis, warning that it would sustain its efforts to defend the interests of workers and pensioners. Organised Labour, however, appealed to residents to understand that the industrial action was not directed against the public but was aimed at protecting the economic survival and welfare of local government workers.
The crisis has significant implications for the welfare of local government workers, pensioners, and their families, who have been subjected to severe hardship due to the prolonged financial crisis. The labour movement's actions are aimed at drawing attention to the plight of local government workers whose cooperative deductions, allowances, pensions, gratuities, and other entitlements were allegedly being threatened by the prolonged allocation crisis.
The situation remains tense as Organised Labour continues its efforts to press for the release of withheld funds and guarantees for the protection of workers' welfare. The labour movement's decision to withhold support for President Tinubu's re-election bid underscores the significant impact of the crisis on the political landscape and the need for urgent resolution.
Key points
- Osun State labour threatens to withhold support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid.
- The labour movement commenced a three-day sympathy strike in solidarity with NULGE over withheld local government allocations.
- Organised Labour demands the immediate release of outstanding statutory allocations and guarantees for the protection of workers' salaries and entitlements.
