Focus on surpassing Oyetola’s credible record of governance, stop misleading Osun people — Bola Oyebamiji to PDP

The immediate past Commissioner for Finance in Osun State, Mr Bola Oyebamiji has called on the People’s Democratic Party to focus on governance of the state instead of misleading the populace on finance matters.

Oyebamiji stated this in a statement tagged: “Osun Financial Situation Under Oyetola’s Watch And Many Misrepresentation By PDP Government”, which was made available to Journalists on Saturday in Osogbo.

It is a reaction to the recent press release issued by the PDP government which alleged that Oyetola’s administration left huge debt behind.

He said it beats one’s imagination why Governor Adeleke’s government is making issue about the State’s stock of Salary arrears, accumulated Pension, and contractual obligations when he knew most of it were attributable to the previous administration which is Aregbesola’s administration.

The statement reads in part, “From the events of the last one-week, discerning citizens of Osun State would have sensed the signal that Osun is in for it under the recently inaugurated government of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State. It is quite unfortunate that the new government is yet to come to term with the current realities in the State as far as governance is concerned.

“Despite the unprecedented record of credible governance by the administration of Oyetola, evidently shown by the account of stewardships passed to the incumbent government, the way the PDP-led administration in the State commenced and their manner of representations of facts relating to Oyetola’s statement of stewardship confirm their very shallow idea about modern-day governance and their unpreparedness for the tasks ahead.

“While their disbelief of the bank balance of #14billion left behind, and Oyetola administration’s claim of not borrowing throughout his tenure is understandable in the first instance; given the precarious economic situation in the country generally in recent time, their recent outburst on the State’s Debt stock is however unclear. It shows they are unaware of Osun’s debt stock prior Oyetola’s administration.

“The issue of Osun’s ebt has been topical in the State and across the country for years and it therefore beats one’s imagination why Governor Adeleke’s government is now making issues about the State’s stock of Salary arrears, accumulated Pension, and contractual obligations most of which were attributable to the previous administration at a time when the immediate past government through its genuity and sincerity of purpose has made remarkable achievements towards repositioning of the State among fiscally stable States in the country.

“Should we remind Governor Adeleke that Osun debt stock was the main topic of PDP campaign in the State preparatory to the July 17 Gubernatorial election?

“As a matter of emphasis, as the immediate past Commissioner of Finance of the State, I wish to reiterate that the administration of Oyetola has no unpaid salary throughout its four years tenure. According to our records, what could have been reported against Oyetola’s administration were deductions from workers salary remittable to their cooperative societies only for the months of May and June 2019, and February 2020, amounting to #979,184,536.97.

“This was due to occasional paucity of funds during the time. Whereas, settlement of this was eventually approved by Mr. Governor early last month but unfortunately, it was however suppressed by the State’s Accountant General (AG) despite a letter of plea written by the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria, Osun chapter on November 14, 2022. The AG is still in the office and can be interrogated further on this.

“On the issue of Pension and Gratuity, I wish to indicate that over #16billion was actually paid by Oyetola’s administration during its 4-year tenure. The arrears however could have been further reduced if not fully taken out but for the typical dynamics of processing of retiree’s claim.

“Aside from having a functional Debt Management Office (DMO) in the State which is the appropriate agency of government for disclosure of the State’s total indebtedness at any given time, the DMO at the Federal level is another agency in the country from where information about the State’s level of exposures could be further ascertained by the Government of Ademola Adeleke if in doubts, instead of feeding the good people of our dear State with unnecessary falsehood. Time certainly will unveil all things to posterity.”