Osun labour unions warn Tinubu of vote withdrawal over withheld local government funds

Industrial action and political warning

The organized workforce in Osun State has stated that it can no longer assure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the political backing from employees, retirees, and their households for his campaign to secure a second term. This stance was conveyed on Monday, November 9, 2026, after a seven-day deadline given to the federal and Osun State administrations to settle an ongoing monetary disagreement had lapsed. Dr Christopher Arapasopo, who serves as the Osun State head of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), delivered the statement at a media briefing held in Osogbo. He was accompanied by Olalekan Adediran, the state chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, and Abimbola Fasasi, the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress.

The labour leaders stated that the continued withholding of local government statutory allocations has caused significant hardship for grassroots workers and residents who rely on local government services. As a result, the trade unions have initiated a three-day protest in support of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). The industrial action commenced at midnight on Sunday, November 8, and is scheduled to conclude at midnight on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The unions emphasised that their primary responsibility is to defend the welfare of their members, arguing that political preferences must take a back seat to the economic survival of workers and their dependents.

Background

The current crisis stems from a dispute over local government financial allocations that has persisted since February 2025. The labour movement alleges that the Federal Government has withheld statutory funds due to Local Government Councils, leading to a breakdown in the payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and other legitimate entitlements. The conflict was further escalated by an emergency meeting of the NLC Osun State Council held on October 28, 2026, where the seven-day ultimatum was issued. The unions expressed regret that the authorities failed to reach a satisfactory resolution within the stipulated timeframe.

In their demands, organised labour has called for the immediate release of the outstanding allocations, an end to payments being made into disputed bank accounts, and the protection of workers’ financial rights. The unions explained that they were not the originators of the conflict and do not wish for it to persist, yet they maintain that industrial harmony must be built upon fairness and the honoring of employee entitlements. While acknowledging Governor Ademola Adeleke’s stated commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, the labour leaders insisted that the governor’s political stance could not determine the position of the workers in the state.

Why it matters

The dispute has significant implications for the 2027 general election, as organised labour represents a substantial voting bloc. The unions have warned that workers’ support is neither automatic nor unconditional and must be earned through concrete government actions that improve living conditions. The monetary hardships faced by local government staff, former employees, and their dependents have prevented the unions from ignoring the political consequences of the disagreement. The labour movement has appealed to residents to understand that the strike is not intended to punish the public but to address the economic survival of workers who are also members of society. They have apologised for any disruptions to public services during the strike period while urging for public solidarity.

What happens next

The organized workforce has disclosed intentions to demonstrate outside offices of a banking entity regarding the retained money, while advising involved staff to stay disciplined and keep the protest peaceful and legal. The unions have stated they remain open to genuine dialogue with the Federal and State governments but insist on a permanent resolution of the local government financial impasse. The immediate focus remains on the completion of the three-day sympathy strike, after which the unions will likely reassess the situation based on any responses from the authorities regarding the release of funds and protection of entitlements.