The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State Chapter, has dismissed allegations by sacked local government chairmen and councillors that senior council staff and union leaders withheld payment vouchers, describing the claims as misleading and unfounded.
In a rejoinder issued on Monday, NULGE said it was compelled to respond to a recent press statement attributed to the affected officials in the interest of public clarity and adherence to due process.
The union stated unequivocally that neither senior local government staff, Heads of Local Government Administration (HLAs), nor the union leadership withheld any payment vouchers from the officials.
NULGE further clarified that no local government worker in the state is owed salaries, noting that workers receive their entitlements as and when due through payments made by the state government.
It questioned the source and preparation of vouchers allegedly used to pay traditional rulers, as claimed by the sacked chairmen and councillors.
According to the union, local government workers are bound by public service rules and cannot be compelled to process financial documents or act on instructions that fall outside established legal and administrative frameworks.
It added that funds referenced in the allegations were reportedly paid into an account outside approved local government financial structures, to which neither HLAs, senior staff nor NULGE officials are signatories.
The union warned that taking actions without proper legal authority could expose workers to liabilities, stressing that its stance is guided strictly by the rule of law and institutional responsibility.
NULGE reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of local government workers while operating within legal and regulatory limits.
NULGE urged members of the public to objectively assess the situation, insisting that the challenges at the local government level stem from unresolved legal and procedural issues rather than any deliberate action by workers or their representatives.
It pledged to continue upholding due process, protecting its members and supporting the integrity of the local government system in Osun State.
NULGE Clears Air on Alleged Withholding of LG Payment Vouchers
