—Describes allegation as false, frivolous
—Says: It was aimed at tarnishing his image
By Jude Okey
The Imo State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrd. Dr. Richard Eze, has denied in strong terms the allegation that he embezzled dead members fund, saying that he did not in any way indulge in such act.
Comrd Eze, who stated this while reacting to the allegation published in the social media recently, described it as false, frivolous and baseless, as according to him, there is no iota of truth in it, adding that the writer and his sponsors aimed at using it to tarnish his good image.
His words, “My name is Comrade Pastor Dr. Richard Eze. I am the State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE,), Imo State. The allegation of embezzlement of dead members fund is false and frivolous. They aimed at tarnishing my image. The truth is that the welfare funds of N200 deducted from the monthly salary of each Staff of the local government, was stopped since February, 2020, when His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, came on board and introduced the automation of salaries which had gone a long way to cub salary padding and ghost Workers syndrome in Imo State Workers payroll system. It is also on record that when the deduction was in place, from May 2018, when I assumed office, to January, 2020, I went round the 27 local governments and distributed this welfare packages of N20, 000, for every deceased member next of kin and retirees. It was this record that gave me victory during the 2019 State delegate Conference election.
“I want to also state unequivocally that I am the only sitting President of NULGE from 1991, when Abia State was created, till date that embarked on the distribution of this welfare packages to our members. But, it’s unfortunate that Comrade Chibuzo Uhuegbu, did not record my response for balance reportage, but went ahead to make this publication aimed at tarnishing my image and defame my character. I will instruct my Lawyer to sue him for defamation of character”.
On the alleged setting up of illegitimate Caretaker Committee in the 27 local governments by the NULGE President, he said, “The issue of setting up a Caretaker Committee at the 27 LGAs has a Constitutional provision and the approval of our National leadership. Although, the governor, for the sake of the forthcoming governorship election in the State, ordered for the cancellation of it and that of the branch elections, to allow him have his election first, which we obeyed”.
Speaking on the accusation of bribing some stakeholders of the Union to elongate his tenure, Comr Eze averred, “I never bribed the so called Stakeholders to elongate my tenure because there is no provision of elongation of tenure in our Constitution, but what the Constitution provides is that if election could not be conducted before the expiration of tenure, the case of a State executive, the National Executive Council will grant extension of 3 months, and if election could not also be conducted, that a Caretaker Committee should be put in place for another 3 months. Therefore, the allegation of bribing Stakeholders has no basis because the Constitutional provision is very clear on this. Therefore, the current State Caretaker that I’m leading as constituted by the National Executive Council of our great Union, has a Constitutional provision and backing”.
While also debunking the allegation that he had relocated his family members to London, the NULGE boss, Comr Eze noted, “As regards to my wife and Children being based in London, that is mere fallacy, as all my Children are schooling here in Imo State. My first son, Akachukwu Wisdom Eze, is studying Civil Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri; my second son, Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Eze, is studying General Nursing and midwifery, at the College of Nursing, Mbano; my second daughter, Mmesoma Deborah Eze, is studying Science Laboratory Tech, at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri. You can visit these institutions for clarifications. While my last boy, Favour Dominion Eze, just finished WAEC and also sat for JAMB, waiting for admission.
“My wife travelled to London for postpartum or Omugwo, for my first daughter, and has since come back. She is preparing to go back for another one now. So, where lies the truth in these allegations? They aimed at tarnishing my image”
