Legislative Arm installs interim caretaker Executive for NULGE to restore calm.

-Lekan Lawal

The embattled Ikosi- Isheri LCDA Chairman, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, addressed the press on Monday 7th of August, 2023, to address the issue of alleged misappropriation of local governments funds, while not leaving out the crisis that rocked the election of council chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), that held on Thursday 3rd of August.

In an organized press conference, the Chairman, also known as the Mayoress absolutely falsified the allegation of imposing her birthday Aso Ebi fabric on local government employees, for her upcoming 50th birthday celebration.

The Mayoress emphasized that the claims regarding the imposition of a 650,000 Naira Aso Ebi fee on the esteemed staff of Ikosi Isheri LCDA for her upcoming birthday were unfounded. In her words, “how would anyone be so insensitive to impose N650k Aso-ebi on civil servants? In this economy? That would be the height of wickedness” she said.

Samiat Abolanle noted that since assuming office as the Chairman of Ikosi Isheri LCDA, she had prioritized the welfare and working conditions of the council staff. She stated, “I have worked tirelessly to improve their working environment and ensure that they feel valued and appreciated. One of the first actions I took was to increase their monthly welfare package (administered through NULGE) from N400,000 to N1.4m, signifying a significant increase that reflects their dedication and hard work.”

According to Bada, her administration had constructed a modern and suitable administrative complex for the staff, providing them with a place where they could carry out their duties efficiently and comfortably.

“In addition, I increased their bonus from N4,000 to N10,000, a gesture aimed at acknowledging their commitment and motivation. I also procured a new staff bus, to cushion the effect of high transportation fares, this I had done before the subsidy removal” she added.

Bada’s response appeared to be directed at an online medium which alleged that staff were being instructed to contribute financially to her birthday celebration. She clarified, “Despite these positive developments and efforts to uplift the working conditions of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA workforce, it is disheartening to see such false allegations being published. Let me emphasize once again that there is no proof or formal invitation indicating that any council staff is required to contribute financially towards my birthday celebration.”

She described the unfounded allegations as a deliberate attempt to blackmail her, tarnish her reputation, and create unnecessary division within her administration.

Bada further pledged to investigate the root of the situation, stating, “I am committed to getting to the bottom of this and exposing those responsible for these false claims. They have sought to undermine the LCDA’s standing, as evidenced by their failed attempt to deny Mr. Governor’s visit for the commissioning of the Ikosi Isheri International Market, recently inaugurated by Mr. Governor. (Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu). Their motive is clear – to diminish the importance and success of the market.”

According to her, she was the first Chairman of any LCDA to provide palliatives to her constituents, long before the removal of fuel subsidy. She announced that another round of palliative support is currently being planned and will be implemented soon.

“My team and I will take the appropriate legal route to unravel this scheme and ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions. I implore the press to exercise due diligence and report facts, not fiction,” concluded Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada.

A Senior Planning officer in the Budget Department of Ikosi Isheri LCDA and former chairperson of the New Era Group faction of NULGE, Mrs. Kaka Temitope, responded to the allegations that the council Chairman was behind the attack on some of their members during the NULGE election held on August 2, 2023. She stated that the election was inconclusive.

In her exact words, she said “while the election was ongoing, our members and the management found out discrepancies during the sorting of the ballot papers. This led to a fracas, as some individuals were not satisfied with the proceedings. Consequently, the election became inconclusive.”

Mrs. Kaka Temitope clarified that everyone, including the Executive Chairman and the management, was seated under the canopy during the incident. She asserted that there was no instance where the Executive Chairman instructed any set of individuals to engage in any form of disruptive behavior.

Kosofe Inside-Out’s research unveiled that the legislative arm had passed a resolution to install a caretaker committee to continue to steer the affairs of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA chapter, in order to restore peace and governance would not be grounded to a halt.