The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against its planned three-day sympathy strike and proposed picketing of United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches over the lingering dispute surrounding local government allocations.
The party also called on the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to remain vigilant and prevent any breakdown of law and order during the proposed industrial action.
The APC made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi.
The party was reacting to a communique issued by the Osun State NLC, led by its chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, announcing plans to commence a three-day sympathy strike from midnight on Sunday, November 8, until midnight on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The union also scheduled peaceful picketing of UBA branches across the state from Thursday, November 12, if the dispute remains unresolved.
The proposed action is linked to the continued withholding and disputed disbursement of statutory allocations meant for local government councils in Osun.
However, the APC described the planned strike and bank picketing as illegal and counterproductive, arguing that disagreements over local government administration and financial allocations should be addressed through appropriate legal and administrative channels.
Olabisi said the party was concerned that the proposed industrial action could create tension and disrupt public peace in the state.
He urged security agencies to monitor the situation and take appropriate action against anyone found responsible for a breakdown of law and order.
The APC acknowledged the responsibility of organised labour to protect workers' salaries, pensions and other entitlements but questioned the NLC's position in the ongoing local government dispute. The party argued that the interests and rights of the reinstated APC chairmen and councillors should also be respected, insisting that labour unions must remain impartial in political disagreements.
It further maintained that statutory allocations from the Federation Account belong to local government councils and should be handled in accordance with the Supreme Court's position on local government autonomy.
The party also questioned the justification for the proposed strike, claiming that the union had not reported unpaid or delayed salaries, pensions and allowances, it described the planned action as politically motivated, an allegation that reflects the APC's position in the ongoing dispute.
The party subsequently appealed to the national leadership of the NLC to intervene and persuade its Osun State chapter to reconsider the planned industrial action.
Meanwhile, organised labour in Osun has defended the proposed action, arguing that the prolonged dispute over council allocations has affected workers' welfare, allowances, cooperative deductions and other entitlements.
The disagreement has further intensified the political and labour dispute over the administration and funding of local government councils in the state.
The proposed strike is scheduled to begin on November 8, while the planned picketing of UBA branches is expected to commence on November 12 if the union's demands are not addressed.