Organised labour in Osun State has warned that it can no longer guarantee the support of workers, pensioners and their families for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, citing the prolonged withholding of local government allocations to the state.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Osun State Chairman Dr Christopher Arapasopo made the position known on Monday while addressing journalists after monitoring compliance with an ongoing three-day sympathy strike over the withheld funds.
Flanked by Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Chairman Olalekan Adediran and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Abimbola Fasasi, Arapasopo said the continued withholding of the allocations was imposing hardship on grassroots workers and residents who rely on local government services.
He acknowledged Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid but insisted that workers’ welfare must take priority over individual political preferences.“For now, the organised labour in Osun State cannot guarantee the support and votes of workers, pensioners, and our families for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Arapasopo said.
“This position arises from the continued withholding of local government allocations and the attendant hardship imposed on workers, pensioners and our dependents. We can no longer pretend that we are happy when we are suffering!“We are aware of Mr Governor’s commitment to supporting the President’s re-election. However, the interests and welfare of workers, pensioners and our dependents must take precedence over individual political preferences.”
The labour leaders appealed to residents to understand the reasons for the industrial action and urged both the Federal and Osun State governments to resolve the dispute so that normalcy can return to local government administration.Arapasopo listed the unions’ key demands as the immediate release of the withheld allocations, protection of workers’ entitlements, and restoration of normal operations in the local government system.
“NULGE did not create this crisis, neither does it desire its continuation. Our demands are simple: release the funds, protect workers’ entitlements and restore normalcy to the Local Government system,” he said.
“We remain open to genuine dialogue but insist that industrial peace must be founded on justice and respect for workers’ rights.“We appeal to the people of Osun State to understand that our struggle is not against them but for the economic survival and the protection of workers’ and pensioners’ welfare.”
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