Osun LG crisis: APC, Labour clash over planned protest

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has accused the state chapter of the Joint Labour Movement of planning a violent protest in support of the state government over the dispute surrounding local government allocations.

The party, in a statement signed by its Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, alleged that those behind the planned protest intended to stage demonstrations at branches of a commercial bank in Osogbo, the state capital, and disrupt operations, including the abduction of bank staff.

However, in a separate statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday and signed by Christopher Arapasopo, Abimbola Fasasi, and Lekan Adediran, chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and Joint Negotiating Council, respectively, the Joint Labour Movement described the allegations as misleading.

While confirming plans to picket the bank, the labour movement denied any intention to engage in violence.

There has been a crisis in the state over the withholding of LG allocations due to a leadership crisis.

The dispute comes amid ongoing tensions between the APC and the Osun State Government over control of local government councils, a crisis that has led to violent clashes and is currently the subject of litigation in various courts.

Speaking on Sunday, the APC claimed that the labour movement had directed the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees to mobilise 20 staff members from each local government area to participate in the protest scheduled for Tuesday.

The APC said the planned protest followed a meeting between labour leaders and top officials of the state government.

The party called on security agencies to closely monitor the situation to ensure that public peace is not disrupted.

Part of the plot is to picket the bank, kidnap recalcitrant workers and disrupt commercial activities in the branches of the bank.

“There is no plausible reason why the Joint Labour Movement should contemplate any protest over the autonomy granted to local government councils by the Supreme Court judgment.

“One wonders the quality of the legal advice being given to the Osun State Joint Labour Movement, given that the issues forming the basis of their proposed action, particularly regarding the operation of local government accounts and the determination of rightful signatories, are currently before competent courts of law,” the statement read.

The APC cautioned the labour movement against actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

Reacting, the Labour Party said, “The attention of the Joint Labour Movement in Osun State has been drawn to a misleading, inflammatory, and wholly unfounded statement credited to the Osun State APC, alleging a planned violent protest.

We categorically state that the claims are false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to misinform security agencies and the public, intimidate workers, and discredit the lawful actions of organised labour.

“The planned picketing exercise remains peaceful, lawful, and consistent with the rights of workers as guaranteed under the constitution and international labour standards,” the statement read.

The labour groups described as unfortunate what they termed the politicisation of the issue, accusing the APC of attempting to create tension and undermine legitimate workers’ actions.