The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Osun State chapter, has denied allegations that it withheld payment vouchers from local government chairmen and councillors aligned to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The union, in a statement by its Chairman, Nathaniel Ogungbangbe on Monday described the claims as misleading and unfounded in a rejoinder issued on Monday and made available to journalists.
NULGE said it was compelled to respond to a recent press statement attributed to the affected officials to provide public clarity and uphold due process.
According to the union, “neither senior local government staff, Heads of Local Government Administration nor union leaders withheld any payment vouchers from the former officials.”
It stated that “no local government worker in Osun State is owed salaries. Workers receive their entitlements promptly through payments made by the state government.”
The union questioned the origin and preparation of vouchers allegedly used to make payments to traditional rulers, as claimed by the APC chairmen and councillors.
NULGE explained that “local government workers are bound by public service rules and cannot process financial documents or act on instructions that fall outside established legal and administrative frameworks.”
It added that “the funds referenced in the allegations were reportedly paid into an account outside approved local government financial structures.”
According to the union, “neither Heads of Local Government Administration, senior staff nor NULGE officials are signatories to such accounts.”
The union warned that taking actions without proper legal authority could expose workers to liabilities, stressing that its position is guided strictly by the rule of law.
NULGE reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of local government workers while operating within legal and regulatory limits.
It urged members of the public to objectively assess the situation, maintaining that challenges at the local government level stem from unresolved legal and procedural issues rather than deliberate actions by workers or their representatives.
Osun: NULGE dismisses APC Chairmen’s claims over withheld payment vouchers
