By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has strongly denied allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that his administration bribed the leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to sustain their ongoing strike.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the APC’s claims as “baseless” and a threat to democracy and the judiciary, accusing the opposition of spreading falsehoods to undermine the rule of law.
Falsifying a Court of Appeal judgment to support the illegal reinstatement of its sacked local government chairmen.
Ignoring valid court rulings affirming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors.
Illegally invading council secretariats and attempting to access public funds without legal mandate.
Adeleke urged the public to dismiss the APC’s claims, stressing that NULGE is an independent body that does not need inducement to act in the interest of its members.
Meanwhile, the APC, in a statement by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, alleged that Governor Adeleke paid senior NULGE officials to sustain the eight-month strike.
Each Head of Local Government Administration in the 69 LGAs and LCDAs allegedly received ₦750,000; Directors of Administration and Finance ₦500,000; and other directors and NULGE chairmen ₦250,000 each.
The alleged bribery worsened delays in local government fund disbursements, affecting traditional rulers, retirees, and grassroots communities.
The APC described the act as “betrayal of the workforce” and vowed to restore “the state’s lost glory” after the current government’s tenure ends in November 2026.