Parallel Workers’ Day celebrations held in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A parallel Workers’ Day celebration was held in Osun State on Thursday, as labour unions marked the occasion at different venues in Osogbo, the state capital.

While the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), under the leadership of Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, held its May Day rally at Fakunle Unity School, another faction held an alternative celebration at the Olorunda Local Government Secretariat.

The parallel event was organised by members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) operating under the banner of the Concerned Association of Local Government Workers, a group that emerged in opposition to what it described as the NLC’s increasing partisanship.

Addressing the factional NULGE members, Comrade Adedayo Adekunle criticised the NLC for turning a labour platform into a political tool.

“If you are a union leader, you are supposed to be neutral. Imagine the level of decadence—politicians have not even declared their second-term candidate, yet civil servants have gone ahead to do so. The money given to them is working; they are collecting benefits on our behalf, and their paymasters are now dictating to them,” he said.

“We do not belong to any political party. We should only support any party that represents the interest of our people. As unionists, this is a great opportunity for us to advocate for better conditions. When there is competition, it results in better