The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clarified that the palliative payment to workers and pensioners by the state government was not a vote-buying initiative, saying the payment followed a request made by organised labour to cushion the effects of economic hardship.

The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, made this clarification on Monday at a mini congress of organised labour held in front of the Osun State Government Secretariat, Abere.

Arapasopo said organised labour had written to Governor Ademola Adeleke on April 8, requesting palliative support for workers and pensioners in view of the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.

He disclosed that labour initially requested ₦20,000 for each worker and pensioner, but following subsequent discussions with the state government over its financial situation, the unions accepted a reduced payment of ₦10,000 each.

According to him, the demand for the palliative was made by labour leaders and was not initiated by the governor for electoral purposes.

“On the 8th of April, the organised labour wrote a letter to Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. We requested and demanded palliatives for the workers and pensioners in the state.

“We requested ₦20,000 for each worker, and we later had a meeting in early July. We agreed, based on the financial constraints in the state, that the governor would pay ₦10,000 each for workers and pensioners. It was accepted by labour.”

Arapasopo said labour had also requested that the palliative payment cover June and July, stressing that the initiative was intended to provide relief to workers and pensioners facing the rising cost of living.

He faulted claims circulating on social media that the payment was an attempt by the governor to influence workers ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

“We saw on social media that the APC is saying the governor is trying to buy over workers and that it is vote-buying.

“They didn’t know that labour leaders were the ones that requested palliatives for workers to cushion the effects of economic troubles in the country, of which Osun State is not exceptional.”

The NLC chairman maintained that workers and pensioners remained free to vote for candidates of their choice, irrespective of the palliative payment.

He said organised labour would not allow workers to be intimidated or harassed during the electoral process, urging all political parties to respect the constitutional rights of citizens.

Arapasopo also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that political actors allowed the election to take place peacefully.

“We are appealing to the President, who is the leader of the country and also the father of Osun State, to please call Osun APC to order. This election should not be war.

“We as workers and pensioners of Osun State have every right to vote for whosoever pleases us.”

He further appealed to the police and other security agencies to remain neutral and protect voters and residents throughout the electoral process.

The labour leader also called on the international community to pay close attention to developments in Osun ahead of the election, stressing the need for a peaceful and credible poll.

The clarification comes amid growing political tension ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with rival political parties trading allegations over the conduct of the campaign and activities of the state government.

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