Nigeria Labour Congress Demands Release of Withheld Local Government Funds
In a bold move, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all withheld local government allocations to the lawfully elected governments in Osun State. This demand comes after a meeting of the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) and the Central Working Committee, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The NLC is mandating the Attorney-General to retract all "unlawful directives" to federal financial institutions and cease further politicization of Local Government autonomy.
The communique, signed by Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the General Secretary, condemned the partisan intervention, which has undermined grassroots governance, deprived workers of their pay, and sabotaged essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The NLC reaffirmed its support for genuine local government autonomy, emphasizing its importance for grassroots development, accountability, and democratic participation.
The crisis in Osun State stems from a prolonged stalemate between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the legitimacy of council officials. This has led to industrial action by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) since February and violent clashes between APC and PDP supporters. The NLC has warned that failure to comply with their demands within a fair timeframe will prompt action to defend workers’ rights and enforce the law.
The NLC’s stance is clear: the deliberate withholding and diversion of statutory allocations to the democratically elected Local Government Councils in Osun State is a blatant violation of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the judgment of the Court of Appeal. The Congress is calling on all stakeholders engaged in the constitutional review process to enshrine provisions that safeguard the financial and administrative independence of local governments.
As the situation in Osun State continues to unfold, the NLC’s demands are a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the autonomy of local governments. The fate of workers, families, and communities hangs in the balance, and it is imperative that the relevant authorities take immediate action to address the crisis and ensure the release of the withheld funds. The world is watching, and the people of Osun State deserve nothing less than justice, transparency, and accountability from their leaders.
