LG Allocations: WIP Blasts Osun NLC Over Three-Day Warning Strike, Alleges Political Motive, Warns Against Anarchy

By Rafiu Agboola, Osogbo

The World Institute for Peace (WIP) has accused the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of embarking on its three-day warning strike over local government allocations for political reasons, warning that the action could heighten tension and disrupt economic activities in the state.

The organisation described the industrial action as needless and counterproductive, arguing that the lingering local government allocation crisis remains before courts of competent jurisdiction.

The Executive Director of WIP, Lamina Omotoyosi, stated this on Monday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo.

Omotoyosi alleged that the strike was intended to blackmail the judiciary and create an atmosphere capable of triggering civil unrest.

According to him, the labour movement should demonstrate a better understanding of the legal issues surrounding the local government crisis rather than resorting to industrial action while the matter remains unresolved in court.

“We have no reservation in concluding that 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 in the polity,” he said.

WIP, however, expressed concern over the prolonged local government crisis and the legal impediments affecting the release of statutory allocations to councils in the state.

The organisation said it was interested in a speedy resolution of the impasse to enable local government administration to function effectively and improve the living conditions of residents at the grassroots.

It, however, argued that the labour unions must recognise the authority of the courts in determining the legality of the competing claims over the local government allocations.

Raising questions about the NLC’s demands, Omotoyosi asked 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.

He maintained that the judicial process remained central to resolving the controversy.

“The straightforward answer to these questions is the court, the court and the court,” he said.

The WIP executive director questioned whether the NLC expected the Federal Ministry of Finance or the Central Bank of Nigeria to release the funds in disregard of subsisting court orders.

He added that industrial action could not substitute for judicial determination, insisting that issues that could not be resolved through the courts should not be pursued through measures capable of disrupting public life.

The organisation also recalled the prolonged strike by local government workers in Osun, which it said lasted about 20 months, and argued that the labour movement should explore constructive engagement instead of another industrial action.

WIP called on the unions to initiate dialogue with the parties involved in the litigations and consider an out-of-court settlement to resolve the allocation crisis.

The organisation also suggested that the labour unions could use their recent inclusion in President Bola Tinubu’s Campaign Council, as announced by Governor Ademola Adeleke, to engage political stakeholders and facilitate an amicable resolution.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of workers to embark on industrial action, WIP maintained that the proposed strike could impose additional hardship on residents, businesses and the state’s economy.

It appealed to the labour movement to reconsider its position in the interest of peace and economic stability.

The organisation also urged 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 said 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 interest of residents above political and sectional considerations.