Adeleke Denies Bribery Allegation, Accuses Osun APC of Undermining Judiciary

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he bribed leaders of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), describing the claim as false, baseless, and a threat to democracy and the judiciary.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke said the accusation was another attempt by the opposition to undermine the rule of law and mislead the public.

He condemned what he described as the APC’s “continuous attacks and falsehoods,” noting that the party’s conduct reflects a deep disregard for judicial authority and democratic principles.

“The level of impunity on display by the state APC constitutes a serious threat to our democratic life. The party started by falsifying a Court of Appeal judgment to claim a fake reinstatement of its court-sacked chairmen,” Adeleke said.

According to him, the APC ignored a valid court judgment affirming the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors across local governments in the state.

“Behaving like political robbers in a lawless country, the state APC got even more emboldened to invade and occupy council secretariats without any legal mandate,” he added. “The opposition brazenly attempted to claim public funds through another layer of illegality until they were legally stopped.”

Adeleke further alleged that the APC’s actions amounted to open disrespect for judicial processes, even as the matter remains before the Supreme Court.

He urged members of the public to disregard what he called “the APC’s new bag of lies,” insisting that NULGE is an independent union that requires no inducement to defend its interests.

“The fight to stop the attempted looting of the local government treasury is a collective effort of all stakeholders who need no inducement to act responsibly. The opposition has come to the end of its game; the people have resisted illegality, and the judiciary will soon make its final pronouncement,” the governor said.

Earlier, the Osun APC had accused Governor Adeleke of inducing NULGE officials financially to prolong their strike.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC alleged that the governor paid senior NULGE officials large sums to sustain their eight-month work abandonment.

According to the party, a viral video recorded by a senior NULGE member revealed that Heads of Local Government Administration in the 69 local councils, including Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), received ₦750,000 each, while Directors of Administration and Finance were paid ₦500,000 apiece. Other directors and NULGE chairmen allegedly received ₦250,000 each.

“It is quite strange that a government could go so low as to promote and fund an illegal work abandonment against itself. This has led to the avoidable suffering of traditional rulers and grassroots dwellers,” Olabisi said.

The APC also accused the Adeleke administration of delaying local government fund disbursements and neglecting the welfare of retirees and grassroots workers.

“Our soothing balm as a party is that this current government is tenured, and it will end by November 27, 2026. The APC will return to restore the lost glory of the state,” Olabisi added.