Labour Leaders in Osun Address Press Conference Following the Expiration of Seven Day Ultimatum On Continued Seizure of LG Fund 

By Bukola Elufadejin

Here is the full details of the text of the press conference held yesterday in Osogbo.

PROTOCOLS!

Gentlemen of the Press, distinguished comrades and members of the public.

 

We welcome you to this press conference to address the continued withholding of statutory allocations due to the Local Government Councils in Osun State since February 2025 and the devastating consequences for workers, pensioners and our families.

 

Following the emergency meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Osun State Council, held on 28th October, 2026, a seven-day ultimatum was issued to the Federal Government and the Osun State Government to resolve this crisis.

 

Regrettably, the ultimatum has expired without a satisfactory resolution. Consequently, the Congress has activated the industrial actions earlier approved by its SEC-in-Session.

 

1.THREE-DAY SYMPATHY STRIKE

We hereby reaffirm the commencement of the three-day sympathy strike in solidarity with NULGE, Osun State Council, from midnight of Sunday, 8th November, to midnight of Wednesday, 11th November, 2026.

This action is necessitated by the prolonged hardship suffered by Local Government workers, whose cooperative deductions, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other legitimate entitlements remain threatened.

We cannot abandon our comrades in their hour of need.

 

2.MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF OSUN STATE

We sincerely acknowledge that the shutdown of public services may cause inconvenience to residents. However, we wish to emphasise that organised labour is not embarking on this action to punish the people or deliberately inflict hardship on anyone.

Labour is not at war with the people of Osun State.

Workers are equally members of the society who depend on public services. We regret the disruptions but cannot continue to endure injustice simply to prevent inconvenience to others. The disruption of services is an unfortunate consequence of a crisis that should have been resolved by the relevant authorities.

We appeal for public understanding and solidarity.

3.PEACEFUL PICKETING OF UBA BRANCHES

The Organised Labour also confirms the peaceful picketing of United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches across Osun State will commence soon.

 

The exercise is aimed at demanding an end to the disputed disbursement of Local Government allocations and ensuring that all outstanding funds are released into the appropriate accounts of constitutionally valid Local Government administrations.

 

We urge all participating unions and workers to maintain discipline and ensure that the exercise remains peaceful and lawful.

 

4.OUR POSITION ON PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION

The Organised Labour considers it necessary to make its political position clear.

 

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.

 

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.

 

In accordance with the directive of the SEC-in-Session, our loyalty is first and foremost to the working class and the people we represent.

 

Workers’ support is neither automatic nor unconditional; it must be earned through policies and actions that protect their welfare and dignity.

 

5.OUR DEMANDS

We reiterate our demands for:

1.Immediate release of all outstanding statutory allocations due to Osun State Local Government Councils.

2.Discontinuation of further payments into the illegal UBA accounts.

3.Protection of workers’ salaries, cooperative deductions, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other legitimate entitlements.

4.Permanent resolution of the Local Government financial impasse.

 

We urge the Federal Government and the Osun State Government to act urgently and responsibly to resolve this crisis.

 

6.CONCLUSION

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.

 

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.

 

We remain united, resolute and committed to defending the working class.

 

AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

SOLIDARITY FOREVER!

LONG LIVE THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS!

LONG LIVE THE WORKING CLASS!

LONG LIVE OSUN STATE!