Workers and pensioners in Osun State have clarified the N10,000 wage award they received from the state government, telling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that Governor Ademola Adeleke didn’t buy their votes as insinuated.

According to the workforce and retirees, the state government approved their request for the wage award to cushion the hardship brought upon Nigerians by the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal.

 

They denied vote-buying allegation by the anti-graft agency, explaining that the labour leaders and pensioners approached the state government and informed the Head of Service of the economic challenges imposed by the recent fuel increase and the need for the state government to grant them wage award.

 

The state government eventually approved their request and paid workers and pensioners N10,000.

 

The workers and pensioners made this known Monday during a rally at the Osun Government Secretariat gate.

 

The workers displayed placards with inscriptions calling on President Bola Tinubu and international community to allow the rule of law and will of the people of Osun to prevail in the Saturday’s governorship election.

 

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Christopher Arapasopo, said the governor has been prioritising the welfare of workers and pensioners and giving them wage award for economic relief should not be termed “vote-buying.”

 

He accused the All Progressives Congress of sponsoring attacks, violence and killings across the state, calling on President Tinubu to call the party and the Police to order.

 

Other labour leaders who spoke declared that all workers and retirees have resolved to vote Adeleke for second term because of his achievements.