Executive chairman of Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State Samiat Bada has debunked allegations that she forced her staff members to buy N650,000 fabrics locally called aso ebi ahead of her 50th birthday celebration.
Bada told the media on Tuesday at the council secretariat in Lagos that the allegations were made up.
An online news platform reported a petition filed by Concerned Ikosi Isheri LCDA Residents against Bada.
The group, among other allegations, accused her of making it compulsory for councillors, supervisors and workers to buy the fabrics.
Bada, however, said the allegations were part of a deliberate attempt to blackmail her, tarnish her reputation and create unnecessary division within her administration.
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She said, “I stand before you today to address the recent allegations that have been circulating on social media in which the writer claimed that I imposed an N650,000 aso ebi (traditional fabrics) on my staff.
“I want to categorically state that these allegations are completely false and baseless. Since assuming office, I have prioritised the welfare and working conditions of my staff.”
The chairman said she recently increased staff welfare bonus from N4,000 to N10,000, a gesture aimed at acknowledging their commitment and motivation to their work.
Bada, however, admitted that her friends and associates from abroad were the ones that decided to choose the N650,000 fabrics among themselves to celebrate her birthday coming up in December 2023.
