Osun LG Funds: WIP Criticises NLC Over Three-Day Strike, Warns of More Hardship

The World Institute for Peace (WIP) has criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State over its decision to embark on a three-day sympathy strike in support of local government workers, warning that the action could worsen the economic difficulties facing residents.

The strike, which began on Monday, followed an NLC directive asking its affiliate unions to protest the continued withholding of local government allocations amid the political dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local government administration in the state.

The industrial action has forced the closure of schools and public offices across Osun as workers comply with the directive.

Reacting to the development in Osogbo, WIP Executive Director Lamina Kamiludeen described the strike as unnecessary and counterproductive. He argued that shutting down public institutions, particularly schools, would place additional burdens on ordinary residents without resolving the dispute over local government funds.

Kamiludeen urged labour leaders to pursue dialogue and an out-of-court settlement, noting that the disagreement was already before courts of competent jurisdiction. He said the unions should engage the political stakeholders involved and encourage them to consider withdrawing their cases or reaching an agreement that could resolve the funding impasse.

He also suggested that labour leaders could use their reported inclusion in President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, as announced by Governor Ademola Adeleke, to facilitate discussions among the parties. Kamiludeen maintained that organised labour should protect workers and vulnerable citizens rather than adopt measures that could deepen their hardship.

“The people should not be subjected to unnecessary hardship through a strike when everyone understands that the final decision on the local government allocation crisis rests with the judiciary,” he said.

The WIP director further called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen security across the state during the industrial action. He warned that hoodlums could exploit the situation to attack or destroy public and private property, urging political leaders and other stakeholders to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions or threatening peace in Osun State.