YPF accuses Adeleke govt of politicising Osun workers’ strike ahead of 2027
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
A sociocultural organisation, the Yoruba Progressives Forum (YPF), has described the three-day warning strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State as politically motivated, alleging that it was an attempt to turn public opinion against President Bola Tinubu over the lingering local government crisis.
The forum alleged that the strike was part of a political agenda by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to damage the President’s reputation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Alhaji Olalekan Lateef, popularly known as Asiri Ede, YPF accused the state government of using workers as political tools in the dispute over control of local government councils.
The forum maintained that the crisis was already before the courts and should be allowed to follow its legal course. It also criticised reports that some workers had threatened to withdraw their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid over the dispute.
“It is uncalled for to drag President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into a matter that is already before the court. The President should not be made a scapegoat for a local government dispute that requires judicial interpretation and resolution,” the statement said.
YPF added that workers should remain neutral and professional, regardless of the political affiliation of local government chairmen, and focus on their statutory responsibilities and the welfare of the people.
Lateef described the reported threat to withdraw support for Tinubu’s re-election as sycophancy, insisting that electoral support should not be used as a bargaining tool in resolving labour or local government disputes. He, however, acknowledged workers’ constitutional right to hold political opinions and make their electoral choices freely.
The forum urged the Osun NLC leadership, led by Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, to separate workers’ welfare concerns from political interests. It also called on the striking workers to resume duties and allow the courts to determine the local government dispute.
