The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of being responsible for the non-payment of salaries and allowances of grassroots workers across the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC alleged that the governor withheld vital documents required to process payments from local government allocations.
The party criticised the governor for allegedly spreading false narratives regarding the management of local government funds, insisting that such claims do not reflect the true situation on ground.
The statement was a direct response to remarks made by Governor Adeleke in Osogbo, where he reportedly accused the APC of hijacking federal allocations meant for local government councils.
According to the APC, the governor’s claims were misleading and designed to attract public sympathy, rather than present an accurate account of how local government funds are being handled.
The party condemned what it described as the use of misinformation in governance, stating that it is inappropriate for a state’s chief executive to rely on falsehoods in administering public affairs.
The APC maintained that federal allocations to local government councils are currently being accessed by reinstated council chairmen, who it said have been carrying out developmental projects in their respective areas.
It listed activities such as road grading, distribution of motorcycles, and financial support to residents as evidence that the funds are being utilised at the grassroots level.
The party further explained that the delay in salary payments to primary school teachers, health workers, and other local government employees is linked to the governor’s refusal to release key financial documents required for processing payments.
According to the APC, the governor has not been transparent about the reasons behind the delay, noting that there is a need for clarity and honesty on the matter.
The party stated that essential documents such as electronic salary vouchers, actuarial valuation registers for pensioners, and audited records of leave bonuses and union deductions have not been made available for use.
It added that these documents are critical for processing salaries and settling outstanding entitlements of workers and retirees at the local government level.
The APC therefore urged Governor Adeleke to release the necessary documents without further delay, insisting that reinstated council chairmen are prepared to facilitate prompt payment once all approvals are in place.
However, as of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, for a response were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not answered.
