In a recent television interview, former Governor Ayodele Fayose expressed opposition to the Supreme Court’s judgment upholding local government (LG) financial autonomy. He alleged that most council officials did not take their work seriously and accused them of being absent from their offices.
However, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ekiti State branch, has strongly criticized Fayose’s comments, stating that he lacks an understanding of LG operations and intentionally impoverished Ekiti council workers during his tenure as governor.
NULGE President, Oluseyi Olatunde, dismissed Fayose’s claims as mischievous and not reflective of the true situation of local government practices in Nigeria, particularly in Ekiti State. Olatunde emphasized that Fayose’s statement was a fallacy concocted by those opposed to the realities of local government autonomy. He called on Fayose to retract his statements and offer an unreserved apology to the council workers who had been discredited and portrayed in a negative light.
Highlighting the alleged mismanagement and impoverishment of Ekiti LG workers during Fayose’s governance, Olatunde criticized the former governor’s policy of using three federal allocations to pay a single month’s salary, resulting in the accumulation of unpaid salaries for up to nine months.
Despite receiving substantial bailout funds from the Federal Government, Fayose failed to alleviate the financial burden on local government workers. Olatunde expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the judiciary, and well-meaning Nigerians who fought for local government autonomy.
The NULGE President emphasized that their response aimed to correct the record and prevent the public from being misled by false information that could tarnish the reputation of local government workers. He refuted Fayose’s claim that council workers did not go to work,
He stressed that they have consistently provided optimal services at their respective councils. In situations where there may be shortages of facilities or equipment, workers are often redeployed to other areas to ensure continued service delivery.
The leadership of NULGE also highlighted the positive contributions of council workers in Ekiti State. They emphasized the various developmental progress made across the councils, including the Local Council Development Areas. This serves as evidence of the workers’ dedication and productivity. Olatunde further criticized Fayose’s governance, where the former governor treated the councils as his private business and reduced the role of council chairmen to mere puppets.
As the debate surrounding local government autonomy continues, it is essential to recognize the contributions and challenges faced by these workers in their efforts to serve their communities.
The NULGE’s response sheds light on the alleged mismanagement and impoverishment of Ekiti LG workers during Fayose’s time in office. It aims to correct misconceptions and highlight the commitment and dedication of local government workers in Ekiti State.
