If APC diverted LG, pensioners’ funds, I can’t – Adeleke; ‘this is blackmail,’ party kicks
Osun State Governor and APC Clash Over Local Government Salaries
By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state are in a dispute regarding the payment of local government staff salaries. During a recent stakeholders meeting, Adeleke alleged that his administration has been financially responsible for local government workers’ salaries, which has hindered some of his ongoing projects. He accused APC council officials of misappropriating approximately N300 billion earmarked for local government operations.
In response, the APC criticized the governor, asserting that he is to blame for the non-payment of salaries. The party’s statement, issued by Kola Olabisi, the Director of Media and Information, claimed that Adeleke had instructed senior local government workers to withhold payment vouchers, thereby causing delays in salary disbursements.
Adeleke defended his actions through a statement from his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. He emphasized that the state government has assumed the financial burden of paying local teachers, health workers, pensioners, and local council staff for over a year. He questioned the moral integrity of the APC for allegedly diverting funds meant for these workers.
“If Osun APC lacks conscience by diverting funds meant for local workers to their personal use, I cannot do it,” Adeleke stated. He further explained that without state assistance, local health and education services would have likely collapsed, leading to severe hardship for residents.
In its statement, the APC outlined the necessity of audit records and documents needed for pension payments, claiming that these have been available but remain unreleased due to the governor’s refusal. The party asserted that the reinstated local government executives are prepared to facilitate payments to pensioners once the governor permits access to the required financial documentation.
The ongoing disagreement highlights the tensions between the Adeleke administration and the APC, with significant implications for local government employees and community services in Osun State.
