The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has condemned the continued withholding of funds due to local governments in Osun State, describing the situation as unacceptable and demanding urgent intervention by the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders.
The union said the development had worsened the leadership and funding crisis in the state’s local government system, forcing workers to embark on a warning strike from Sunday, November 8, to Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
In a statement signed by its President-General, Comrade Aliyu Haruna, and General Secretary, Comrade Gambo Isah, NULGE said local government workers should not be made victims of political disagreements, leadership controversies and administrative failures.
The union maintained that the financial autonomy of local governments, as affirmed by the Supreme Court, must translate into practical financial independence, improved service delivery and prompt payment of workers’ salaries and entitlements.
It stressed that local government autonomy would remain meaningless without access to funds, warning that no council could function effectively when its financial resources were withheld and workers denied their legitimate entitlements.
NULGE consequently called for the immediate resolution of all outstanding issues surrounding the release and accessibility of funds due to local governments in Osun State.
It also demanded an urgent and lasting resolution of the leadership crisis in the state’s local government system in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.
The union further urged authorities to protect workers against salary delays, denial of entitlements and victimisation arising from the crisis.
It called on the Federal Government, Osun State Government and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and engage constructively to restore normalcy and industrial harmony in the state.
Expressing solidarity with the leadership and workforce of NULGE in Osun State, the national leadership assured the workers that the union would not abandon its responsibility to defend their rights, welfare and dignity.
While urging the affected workers to remain peaceful and disciplined, NULGE called on all parties to demonstrate political maturity and genuine commitment to resolving the crisis without further delay.
The union warned that the continued withholding of local government funds was not merely a labour issue but also a threat to grassroots democracy, effective service delivery and the economic survival of thousands of Nigerian families.
It declared that the time for political blame games was over, insisting that decisive action was needed to end the crisis and protect the interests of local government workers across the country.
