NULGE accuses Fayose of suspending members

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of suspending two of its members for allegedly opposing the diversion of N1.24bn to pay the allowances of political appointees.

The suspended members are the state Deputy President, O.B. Olatunde, and the Ado Ekiti branch Chairman, Mr. Alaketu Akeem.

The union also alleged that the NULGE’s branch Chairman in Ijero Local Government Area, Owodunni Olaoluwa, has been queried in connection with the case.

This accusation was contained in a March 13 letter signed by NULGE’s State Secretary, Mr. Muyiwa Cole, and addressed to some top government officials in the state.

It stated that Olatunde was queried over the matter and dismissed from service by the state’s Local Government Service Commission on the order of the governor.

The letter stated that, “At the Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting of March 2, 2017, the issue of payment of July and August salaries to LG workers and primary school teachers generated a furore.

“This was as a result of the insistence of the LGs’ council chairmen to divert the money totaling N1.024bn to settle their furniture allowance; 2016 leave bonuses and October 2016 salaries.

“The union’s representative at the meeting (NULGE deputy state president) reminded the chairmen that it was the resolution of the JAAC at its January meeting when the money was being stepped down to pay it in February allocation. He advised the chairmen not to divert the money for it will affect the already distressed and depressed workers.”

Source: Punch