The Executive Director of the World Institute for Peace, Lamina Omotoyosi, has expressed serious concerns regarding the three-day warning strike initiated by the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This strike has been attributed to ongoing disputes over local government issues within the state.
Omotoyosi condemned the strike, characterizing it as ‘needless, barbaric, deceptive’ and a possible tactic to destabilize the state’s economy while potentially fostering civil unrest. He emphasized that the move appears politically motivated and may aim to undermine the judiciary.
During a press conference in Osogbo, he argued that the ongoing crisis and associated legal battles surrounding local government administration make the strike especially problematic. According to him, the labour movement should represent the interests of workers and should approach such sensitive issues with a focus on legal processes.
Omotoyosi highlighted that labour unions are expected to operate with integrity and knowledge of the law. He lamented that the current situation in Osun State suggests that the unions may have opted for political favoritism over genuine advocacy for workers’ rights.
He noted that the prolonged local government crisis, which has resulted in the withholding of local government allocations, is particular cause for concern. Omotoyosi called for a resolution to the crisis rather than escalating the situation through strikes.
The implications of the strike become clearer when considering that the legal matters surrounding local government funds remain unresolved. He posed critical questions regarding who is responsible for withholding these allocations, suggesting the judiciary is the proper channel for resolution, rather than strike actions that could further complicate the situation.
While recognizing the constitutional rights to protest, Omotoyosi argued that resorting to strikes as an extrajudicial means to seek redress is not appropriate and could encourage disorder in a system governed by law.
In conclusion, he indicated that constructive dialogue should replace aggressive tactics, urging labour unions to facilitate discussions among all relevant stakeholders to seek an amicable solution to the local government allocation crisis in Osun State.
