Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
OSOGBO — Organised labour in Osun State has issued a stark warning to political parties against harassing workers and pensioners ahead of the state’s governorship election, scheduled for 15 August, as it called on security agencies to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), made the appeal during a mini congress of workers and pensioners in Osogbo on Monday, expressing grave concern over reports of political thuggery and alleged shootings in parts of the state.
“We are here to inform the general public about happenings in Osun and how we feel about it,” Arapasopo said. “Somewhere in the news, thugs are going up and down shooting, and the Police who are expected to do their jobs in protecting the properties of the people of Osun State are not doing it.”
The labour leader urged the police to intensify efforts to protect lives and property while maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral process. He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by encouraging political actors in the state to allow the election to proceed peacefully.
“By the special grace of God on Saturday, 15th of this month, workers, pensioners and people of Osun State would perform their constitutional civic rights by voting for candidates,” Arapasopo declared. “We are to send a signal and warning to any party that tries to intimidate or harass workers, pensioners and good people of Osun State.”
Addressing the controversy surrounding the state government’s payment of palliatives, the NLC chairman clarified that the initiative was not designed as a vote-buying scheme, as alleged by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). He explained that organised labour had formally requested the palliatives on 8 April to cushion the impact of the economic hardship facing the country.
Labour initially sought N20,000 for each worker and pensioner but later agreed to N10,000 each following discussions with Governor Ademola Adeleke in July, owing to the state’s financial constraints. The payments, covering June and July, were made at labour’s request.
“We are appealing that this election should be free and fair,” Arapasopo said. “We are appealing to the international community to switch on their searchlight on Osun State. No worker must be intimidated, no harassment of anybody and not to talk of any citizen of Osun State.”
Also speaking, Comrade Olamilekan Adediran, state Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), urged civil servants, pensioners and residents to participate actively in the election by voting for candidates of their choice.
“We are all stakeholders. All the civil servants and pensioners of Osun have been in this system for a long time. We have been with several governors with different experiences,” Adediran said.
He cautioned against political violence, stressing that the pursuit of political power should not lead to the destruction of lives, property or state institutions.
“Getting to the position of power is not a do-or-die affair. We know what we want and what is suitable for our people here. We appeal to the President to help us talk to these people,” he added.
Adediran urged eligible voters to proceed to their polling units with their Permanent Voter Cards and exercise their franchise peacefully.
