By John Dike, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has criticised the ongoing strike by the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over the seized council allocations as unjustified and politically motivated.
Also, it described as “baseless and fabricated claims” by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, who recently alleged that members of the APC had threatened his life.
In a statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mr. Kola Olabisi, the APC said that for over seven months, local government workers in Osun have been “held hostage” by an industrial action allegedly sponsored by the Ademola Adeleke-led administration.
It said, “Rather than confront this shameful reality, Arapasopo has resorted to peddling lies to distract from his betrayal of the very workers he was elected to protect.”
It accused the NLC chairman of frequenting hotels, eateries, and nightclubs — allegedly under the protection of Amotekun operatives — while the workers he represents continue to suffer economic hardship.
The party further described hos recent statements as “calculated attempts to sustain his indulgent lifestyle”, while also allegedly using his position to curry favour with political benefactors in the state government.
“Let it be known: Arapasopo’s complicity in the ongoing crisis at the local government level is both disgraceful and destructive. His actions have stalled statutory allocations to traditional rulers and denied council workers access to cooperative funds and other legitimate entitlements,” the APC stated.
Questioning the labour leader’s justification of the NULGE strike on the basis of security concerns, the APC challenged why the same concerns had not led to a broader strike across the entire state civil service.
“Why are only local government workers being sacrificed?” the party queried.
The statement also accused him of manipulating public perception and prolonging the suffering of workers who, according to the APC, are eager to resume their duties but are being held back as pawns in a larger political game.
In response to the labour leader’s recent criticism of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, the APC labelled the NLC chairman’s remarks as “acts of shameful ingratitude,” pointing out that Arapasopo had benefited significantly from the Oyetola administration — including union sponsorships and a vehicle donation.
The APC also raised serious concerns about the Adeleke administration’s alleged mishandling of worker-related finances:
Of the ₦2.4 billion budgeted for local training in 2025, ₦1.3 billion has already been withdrawn, with no meaningful training conducted.
Only 14.3% of the allocated Contributory Pension Fund has been remitted.
₦0.00 has been disbursed from the ₦6 billion budgeted for gratuity arrears.
Judiciary workers have recently embarked on a strike over welfare issues, further compounding the state’s labour unrest.
“These are the real issues that should engage the attention of a responsible labour leader,” the APC said, “not serving as a megaphone for a failing administration.
“What will become of Arapasopo after November 27, 2026, when the people of Osun vote out Senator Adeleke? He should begin to reflect on his future, as the end of political manipulation and betrayal of workers’ trust approaches.”
The party reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of all workers and ensuring that political interference does not undermine their welfare and future.
