LG Autonomy: Osun cannot be an exception – NLC president, Ajaero insists

The National president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has insisted that like other 35 states in the country, Osun cannot be an exception or do things differently in regards to the implementation of the local government autonomy.

Ajaero maintained that no one should be permitted to abuse the constitution while attempting to follow the Supreme Court’s judgment.

DAILY POST reports that since January 2025, the Federal Government and Osun State government have been at logger heads over the status of the financial autonomy of its LG Council administrations, resulting in a reported withholding of statutory allocations meant for the 30 Local Governments for the past 3 consecutive months.

However, the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE penultimate Thursday, alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had planned to release the allocations meant for the Osun local government areas to persons not recognised by law.

NULGE, in a statement by its President General, Aliyu Kankara, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the suspected move, saying they are unauthorised persons in the LGAs.

Speaking at the National Administrative Council, NAC, of the Central Working Committee meeting held over the weekend at the 12th June Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the NLC president explained that the treasurer and the head of administration are typically the signatories in the LG; therefore, if there is anything contrary, the circular must be reconsidered.

Ajaero said, “ The matter is before us and we wish to state clearly, but in trying to obey the Supreme Court and the provisions of the constitution nobody should equally abuse that same constitution.

“The issue of signatories to local government is usually all instances by the treasurer of the local government and the head of admin, so if there is any contrary to this, then that circular needs to be reconsidered.

“ That’s our position because we don’t want to join issues and jump into the ring with the feuding parties. However, we will always identify with our people and where issues affect their existence and continue display of their duties.

“I’m not looking at the court judgment but I’m looking at what is the practice of the 35 other states, how is it done? because Osun cannot be an exception” he added.

Ajaero, frowning at the current Osun LG crisis, stated that members of the local government are supposed to be seen as employees and not members of a political party.

He, however, disclosed that the NLC has written a letter to the president for an audience in order to protect the interest of workers.

LG Autonomy: Osun cannot be an exception – NLC president, Ajaero insists