By Boluwatife Adedokun
The World Institute for Peace (WIP) has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State of pursuing political interests with its planned three-day warning strike over local government allocations, alleging that the action is intended to mount pressure on the judiciary and heighten tension in the state.
WIP Executive Director, Lamina Omotoyosi, made the allegation on Monday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo.
Omotoyosi expressed disappointment with the labour movement, accusing it of abandoning its responsibility as an independent voice for workers and ordinary citizens in the state.
He said the NLC was expected to demonstrate impartiality and a proper understanding of the legal issues surrounding the protracted local government crisis but had instead allowed political interests to influence its position.
“Unfortunately, the reverse appears to be the case in Osun State. As things stand today, the labour movement in the state appears to have chosen political patronage over honesty, integrity and the general interest of workers,” he said.
The WIP director argued that the disputed local government allocations remained subject to ongoing judicial proceedings, warning that industrial action could be interpreted as an attempt to influence the courts.
He questioned the justification for the proposed strike, noting that the release of the funds was tied to the legal disputes surrounding local government administration.
Omotoyosi also questioned whether the NLC expected the Federal Ministry of Finance or the Central Bank of Nigeria to release the disputed allocations without considering existing court orders.
He maintained that the judiciary remained the appropriate institution to resolve the legal questions surrounding the local government crisis.
While acknowledging the right of workers to embark on industrial action, WIP argued that dialogue, rather than confrontation, was the appropriate approach under the circumstances.
The organisation urged the NLC to engage the parties involved in the litigations and explore the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.
It also suggested that the labour unions could use their recent inclusion in President Bola Tinubu’s Campaign Council to facilitate discussions among political stakeholders and encourage a resolution.
WIP warned that the planned warning strike could worsen economic hardship for residents and create an opportunity for hoodlums to disrupt public peace.
It consequently called on the police and other security agencies to strengthen security around public and private facilities across the state.
Omotoyosi appealed to the labour movement to reconsider its position, warning that residents of Osun should not bear the consequences of a dispute that remains before the courts.
