Government offices across Osun State were shut on Monday as workers commenced a three-day strike over the continued withholding of local government statutory allocations.
The strike, directed by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), affected government activities across the state, with the gates of the Osun Government Secretariat and the State House of Assembly in Osogbo locked.
The Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government secretariats were also shut, while public school students were sent home as teachers joined the industrial action.
The NLC Chairman in Osun, Christopher Arapasopo, and the state Secretary, Victor Amusan, had announced the strike in a statement on Sunday, directing all affiliate unions to embark on a three-day sympathy strike in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
The labour leaders said the action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal and Osun State governments over the continued withholding of statutory allocations meant for local governments.
According to the NLC, the issues surrounding the local government funds remained unresolved despite efforts to address them.
The congress said the decision was reached after exhausting all reasonable avenues and in line with resolutions adopted at its emergency State Executive Council meeting held on October 28.