The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all withheld local government allocations to elected council officials in Osun State.
The demand was made in a communique released after a joint meeting of the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) and the Central Working Committee (CWC) held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the statement strongly condemned what it called a “partisan interference” by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to the NLC, the withholding of funds violates the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and a Court of Appeal ruling that confirmed the legitimacy of the current elected local government leadership in Osun State.
“This act is a clear violation of the law. It undermines grassroots governance, deprives workers of their salaries, and disrupts essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” the NLC stated.
The union also called on the Attorney-General to withdraw what it described as “unlawful directives” to financial institutions and urged an end to the politicisation of local government autonomy.
The NLC reaffirmed its support for full local government autonomy and called on stakeholders involved in the ongoing constitutional review to include clear protections for the financial and administrative independence of local governments.
It warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to further action by the union to defend the rights of workers and uphold the law.
The crisis in Osun State local governments stems from a political conflict between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), both of whom claim control of the 30 local council secretariats and the Area Office. The tension has triggered protests, industrial action by NULGE, and clashes between party supporters since February.
