‘NLC Must Not Become Political Tool’: WIP Faults Osun Labour Over LG Funds

…Urges Tinubu to release outstanding allocations to recognised council leaders

The World Institute for Peace (WIP) has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State Council, against allowing partisan political considerations to influence its position on the lingering local government crisis.

The organisation called on the Federal Government to release outstanding local government allocations directly to the legitimate and legally recognised council leaderships, rather than to the Osun State Governor.

In a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, WIP said the NLC should remain impartial in addressing the dispute and focus on securing the welfare of local government workers.

The organisation was reacting to the state council’s recent communiqué, which gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum over the disputed allocations and threatened industrial action involving the Federal Government and United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Although it acknowledged the need to protect workers’ salaries, pensions and allowances, WIP faulted the labour union’s approach, alleging that its position had failed to adequately account for the legal questions surrounding the leadership of the councils.

“The NLC must not be allowed to misrepresent the local government crisis in Osun,” the statement declared.

WIP argued that organised labour should not disregard the rights of elected chairmen and councillors because they belong to a political party different from that of the state government.

It also urged the NLC to reconsider its position in light of the 2025 Court of Appeal judgment delivered by the Akure Division, which, according to the organisation, is central to the dispute over the councils’ legitimate leadership.

The group maintained that the Federal Government should be guided by relevant judicial pronouncements and constitutional provisions in determining how the outstanding funds should be disbursed.

WIP further described the threats of industrial action and picketing against UBA as counterproductive, arguing that legal and administrative disagreements should be addressed through appropriate institutional channels.

It said the bank should be allowed to operate in accordance with lawful directives and applicable financial regulations without undue political pressure.

The organisation therefore called on the NLC National Secretariat to intervene and ensure that its Osun chapter did not allow partisan considerations to overshadow its responsibility to workers.

WIP also commended President Bola Tinubu for efforts to strengthen local government autonomy through direct funding of councils.

It said the reform would help promote grassroots democracy, accountability and development if properly implemented.

“Local government autonomy has come to stay, and every stakeholder must respect its constitutional and democratic implications,” the statement said.

The group called on the Osun State Government to respect the autonomy of the councils and urged all parties to place the interests of workers and residents above political considerations.

It stressed that the outstanding allocations should not be withheld indefinitely, noting that local government employees and communities should not bear the consequences of the political and legal dispute.

WIP concluded that the Federal Government should release the funds without unnecessary delay, provided the disbursement is made to the appropriate council leaderships in accordance with applicable laws and court decisions.

The organisation maintained that workers’ welfare and respect for the rule of law should remain central to resolving the crisis.