By John Dike Osogbo
The World Institute for Peace has criticised the three-day warning strike declared by the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the lingering local government allocation crisis, describing the industrial action as politically motivated and capable of worsening the economic hardship facing residents.
The organisation accused the state labour leadership of resorting to industrial action to pressure the judiciary and create unnecessary tension in the state, arguing that the dispute over local government allocations remains a matter before courts of competent jurisdiction.
The NLC had directed its affiliate unions and workers in the state to embark on a three-day warning and sympathy strike over the continued withholding of local government allocations, insisting that the financial situation had crippled activities at the grassroots and subjected local government workers to hardship.
However, the World Institute for Peace, in a press conference addressed by its Executive Director, Lamina Omotoyosi, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo, on Monday, November 9, urged the labour movement to reconsider its position in the interest of peace, economic stability and the people of the state.
The organisation said although it recognised the constitutional rights of workers and labour unions to embark on industrial action, it considered the current strike unnecessary, alleging that it was being used to achieve political objectives rather than facilitate a lasting solution to the local government crisis.
It maintained that the continued legal disputes surrounding the administration of local government councils and the release of their allocations made it inappropriate for labour unions to embark on industrial action without adequately considering the implications of existing judicial proceedings.
According to the organisation, the labour movement should ordinarily serve as a voice of reason, defend workers’ interests and demonstrate a sound understanding of the law, particularly when dealing with sensitive matters capable of affecting democratic institutions.
It expressed concern that the labour movement in Osun appeared to have abandoned constructive engagement in favour of what it described as political patronage, insisting that workers’ welfare should not be subjected to partisan interests.
The group, however, acknowledged the prolonged nature of the local government crisis and its consequences for grassroots development, saying it was equally interested in a speedy resolution that would guarantee the release of funds for effective administration and service delivery at the local government level.
It argued that the central issue was not merely the withholding of allocations but the legal circumstances surrounding the funds and the authority responsible for determining their release.
Raising questions over the NLC’s demands, the organisation asked who was withholding the local government allocations, why the funds had allegedly remained inaccessible and why allocations were reportedly released recently to the local government administrations elected in 2022.
It answered that the courts were central to the situation, arguing that the subsisting judicial proceedings and orders constituted major obstacles to any administrative decision on the disputed funds.
The organisation consequently questioned whether the NLC expected the Federal Ministry of Finance or the Central Bank of Nigeria to release the allocations without regard to existing court orders.
It said no institution should be encouraged to disregard judicial processes in an attempt to resolve a political or administrative disagreement, warning that such an approach could undermine the rule of law.
“What cannot be obtained through the courts cannot be secured through industrial action,” the organisation declared, insisting that the labour movement should channel its grievances through lawful and constructive means.
The group also recalled the prolonged industrial dispute involving local government workers in Osun, which it said lasted about 20 months, noting that previous attempts by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to obtain judicial redress against local government chairmen and councillors were eventually discontinued.
It described the development as unfortunate, arguing that labour unions should not resort to industrial action as an alternative to judicial remedies when disputes are already before competent courts.
While acknowledging that strikes and protests were legitimate instruments available to organised labour under the Constitution, the organisation said such rights should be exercised responsibly and with due consideration for the welfare of the general public.
It warned that the ongoing strike could disrupt economic activities, affect public services and impose additional hardship on business owners and ordinary residents who were already struggling with prevailing economic challenges.
The organisation further argued that the labour unions should have explored dialogue with all parties involved in the legal disputes, including political stakeholders, to identify possible areas of agreement and facilitate an amicable settlement.
It suggested that the parties could consider withdrawing some of the pending cases or exploring an out-of-court settlement where legally appropriate, provided such an arrangement would not undermine judicial authority.
The group also identified the recent inclusion of labour unions in the campaign council of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced by the State Coordinator, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as an opportunity that could have been used to initiate political engagement among the parties involved in the local government dispute.
According to the organisation, such an opportunity could have helped bring the contending interests together and encouraged a peaceful resolution of the allocation crisis.
It said the labour movement should demonstrate leadership by promoting understanding and reconciliation rather than taking steps that could deepen political divisions in the state.
The World Institute for Peace further warned that the industrial action could create an atmosphere of tension capable of being exploited by hoodlums and other criminal elements, particularly given the political sensitivity of the local government crisis
In its appeal, the organisation urged the NLC leadership and other labour unions to reconsider the warning strike, stressing that the people of Osun should not be made to suffer further hardship over a dispute whose resolution largely depends on judicial pronouncements.
It called on all parties to demonstrate restraint, embrace dialogue and respect the rule of law while awaiting the determination of the pending cases.
The organisation also urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen security arrangements across the state during the strike period.
It specifically called for adequate protection of public and private facilities against possible attacks, vandalism and destruction, warning that criminal elements might attempt to hijack the industrial action to perpetrate violence.
The group noted that Osun State was still recovering from the tension and divisions associated with its highly contentious governorship election, urging political actors, labour leaders and other stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting hostility.
It stressed that the state could not afford another round of political tension or civil unrest, adding that the welfare and security of residents should take precedence over partisan considerations.
The organisation concluded that the lingering local government crisis required patience, responsible leadership and respect for judicial institutions, rather than industrial confrontation.
It urged the labour movement to place the collective interest of Osun residents above political affiliations and work towards a peaceful resolution that would restore normalcy to local government administration across the state.
