The World Institute for Peace (WIP) has accused the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of planning a three-day warning strike over withheld local government allocations for political reasons. WIP's Executive Director, Lamina Omotoyosi, stated that the proposed industrial action is needless and counterproductive. He argued that the dispute over local government allocations is currently before courts of competent jurisdiction. Omotoyosi made these allegations at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo.
Omotoyosi alleged that the strike aims to mount pressure on the judiciary and create an atmosphere that could trigger civil unrest. He urged the labour movement to demonstrate a better understanding of the legal issues surrounding the local government crisis. According to Omotoyosi, the strike is being embarked upon in bad faith and is politically motivated, with the intention of blackmailing the judiciary and creating a possible atmosphere of anarchy. WIP expressed concern over the prolonged local government crisis and the legal impediments surrounding the release of statutory allocations to councils in Osun State.
The WIP executive director questioned the basis of the NLC’s demands, asking who was withholding the allocations, the reasons for the action, and why funds were reportedly released recently to the local government administration elected in 2022. Omotoyosi maintained that the courts remain central to resolving the controversy. He argued that industrial action cannot substitute for judicial determination, insisting that issues pending before the courts should not be pursued through measures capable of disrupting public life.
WIP recalled the prolonged strike by local government workers in Osun, which lasted about 20 months. The organisation argued that the labour movement should explore constructive engagement rather than embark on another industrial action. WIP urged the unions to initiate dialogue with parties involved in the litigations and consider an out-of-court settlement as a means of resolving the allocation crisis. The organisation also suggested that the labour unions could leverage their recent inclusion in President Bola Tinubu’s Campaign Council to engage political stakeholders and facilitate an amicable resolution.
Although acknowledging the constitutional right of workers to embark on industrial action, WIP warned that the proposed strike could impose further hardship on residents, businesses, and the state’s economy. The organisation appealed to the labour movement to reconsider its position in the interest of peace and economic stability. WIP also called on the police and other security agencies to strengthen security around public and private facilities to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the strike and causing destruction.
Omotoyosi noted that Osun, having recently experienced a contentious governorship election, could not afford actions capable of reigniting political hostilities. He urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and place the interests of residents above political and sectional considerations. The WIP executive director emphasized the need for a speedy resolution of the impasse to restore effective local government administration and improve the living conditions of residents at the grassroots.
WIP prioritizes a speedy resolution of the local government crisis to restore effective local government administration and improve the living conditions of residents at the grassroots. The organisation maintained that the labour unions must recognise the authority of the courts in determining the legality of the competing claims over the disputed allocations.
Key points
- The World Institute for Peace accuses the Osun NLC of a politically motivated strike.
- The strike is planned over withheld local government allocations.
- WIP urges the labour movement to explore constructive engagement and dialogue to resolve the crisis.
