N650k Aso Ebi: Lagos council chair denies forcing staff to buy

The chairman of Ikosi Isheri local council of Lagos State, Mrs Samiat Bada, has denied the allegation that she forced staff of the council to buy her birthday Aso Ebi at the rate of N650, 000.

An Aso Ebi is a uniform clothing worn during ceremonies.

While admitting that the Aso Ebi goes for N650,000, Mrs Bada however denied an allegation that she compelled her staff members to buy it for her forthcoming 50th birthday.

Addressing the media at the council secretariat, in Lagos on Tuesday, Bada described the allegations as completely false and baseless.

An online medium had reported a petition filed by Concerned Ikosi Isheri LCDA Residents against Bada for selling N650.000 fabrics for her birthday at this difficult time.

The group had allegedly accused her of making it compulsory for councillors, supervisors and workers to buy the fabrics, among other allegations levelled against her.

Bada told newsmen that those allegations were part of a deliberate attempt to blackmail her, tarnish her reputation and create unnecessary division within her administration.

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 N650,000.00 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 their 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.

The chairman said there was no formal invitation to her staff, forcing them to contribute financially towards her 50th birthday celebration.