Osun APC Warns NLC Against Planned Strike, UBA Picketing Over LG Allocation Dispute

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against proceeding with its planned three-day sympathy strike and picketing of United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches over the lingering dispute surrounding local government allocations in the state.

The party also called on the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to remain vigilant and prevent a breakdown of law and order during the proposed industrial action.

The APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, disclosed the party’s position in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The warning followed a communique by the Osun NLC, led by its chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, announcing a three-day sympathy strike scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 8, and end at midnight on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

The labour union also announced plans to embark on peaceful picketing of all UBA branches across the state from Thursday, November 12. The mobilisation was reportedly receiving support from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and councils in the South-West.

However, the APC described the proposed strike and picketing as illegal, arguing that disagreements over local government allocations should be addressed through appropriate legal and administrative channels.

“We consider it a criminal act for the state NLC to contemplate the threat of industrial action and picketing against UBA, as such is counterproductive because legal and administrative disagreements should ideally be addressed through appropriate institutional channels,” the party stated.

The APC urged security agencies to monitor the activities of the union and warned that anyone found responsible for disrupting public order should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

While acknowledging organised labour’s responsibility to protect workers’ salaries, pensions and allowances, the party faulted the NLC’s position on the local government allocation dispute.

It insisted that the interests and rights of reinstated elected APC local government chairmen and councillors must also be respected.

The party further urged the labour union to remain impartial and avoid allowing partisan political considerations to influence its position on local government administration and autonomy.

According to the APC, local government allocations from the Federation Account belong to the respective council areas in line with the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy and should not be subjected to political pressure.

The party also questioned the justification for the planned strike, claiming that the NLC had not reported cases of unpaid or delayed salaries, pensions, allowances or other workers’ entitlements.

It alleged that the proposed action was politically motivated and intended to influence public perception of those currently occupying local government offices in the state.

The APC consequently appealed to the NLC national secretariat to intervene and persuade its Osun chapter to reconsider the planned industrial action, stressing the need to prioritise workers’ welfare, impartiality and respect for the rule of law.