By John Dike, Osogbo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Osun State have jointly condemned the continued seizure of the state’s local government funds by the Federal Government, describing the action as a direct assault on workers’ welfare and the rule of law.
Speaking during a solidarity rally held at the Governor’s Office in Abere to welcome Governor Ademola Adeleke from his overseas trip, union leaders demanded the immediate release of the funds to ensure regular salary payments for local government employees.
Among the labour leaders present were Comrade Dr Abimbola Christopher Arapasopo (NLC) , Comrade Abimbola Fasasi (State Chairman, TUC, Osun State Council), Comrade Dr. Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbami, and Comrade Olamilekan Adediran (State Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council, Osun).
The union leaders strongly criticized the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Federal Government, accusing them of punishing innocent workers and violating constitutional provisions regarding local government autonomy.
They praised Adeleke for his proactive governance, especially his bold decision to approach the Supreme Court in a bid to secure the release of the withheld funds. They also commended his achievements in infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, and economic reforms across the state.
The labour leaders unanimously pledged their unwavering support for the Governor’s second-term bid, urging Osun citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the August 8, 2027, governorship election.
Comrade Dr. Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbami said: “Mr. Governor has been doing excellently well for us within the local government system. Despite the challenges in federal allocations, he has never used that as an excuse to delay or deny salaries. He has remained consistent.
There’s absolutely no reason for us not to support him. We are here today to reaffirm our unwavering support for the Governor as we look ahead to 2026.”
Also in his remarks Comrade Olamilekan Adediran, Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, added: “My message to all Osun workers is clear: go out, register, and get your PVCs. That is your power — the power to shape your future.
“We all know the withholding of local government funds is politically motivated. Even the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has declared that the Federal Government must release those funds to Osun, in line with legal provisions. Why is the Federal Government undermining the rule of law?
He said Adeleke has been 100 percent committed to workers’ welfare from timely salary payments to allowances and other benefits. His achievements speak for themselves. By God’s grace, he remains our Governor till 2030.”
In his view, Comrade Abimbola Fasasi, TUC Chairman in Osun State, also emphasized: “My message is simple. Osun has never had it this good — not just for civil servants, but for every resident.
“When he was campaigning, critics said Governor Adeleke was only about dancing and lacked capacity. But today, he has silenced them with results. From infrastructure to social welfare, go anywhere in Osun and you’ll see ongoing development.
“Remember how Oke-Fia used to be a traffic nightmare. Now, traffic has eased significantly even before the completion of the road project. Workers can testify to the improvement in our working conditions.
“Let us continue on this path of progress. Let’s get our PVCs ready. That’s our power — and with it, we can sustain this leadership.”
In his remarks, the Governor thanked the labour unions for their overwhelming show of support and solidarity. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing workers’ welfare and delivering the dividends of democracy to all citizens.
He disclosed that the state government had taken the bold step of approaching the Supreme Court to compel the Federal Government to release the withheld local government funds, which have been frozen since February 2025. The Governor also announced plans to introduce a soft-landing loan scheme for workers to ease their financial burdens.
He assured, “Better days lie ahead. Our commitment to transparency, development, and the welfare of workers remains unshaken.”
