APC, PDP clash over Osun workers’ salary arrears

LThe Osun State chapters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday traded accusations over the move by the state government to pay the arrears of modulated salaries owed civil servants in the state.

The APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, in a statement titled, ‘Stop playing politics of deceit over workers’ salaries,’ accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of misinforming people that he had started clearing the backlog of half-salaries owed by the Rauf Aregbesola administration.

Olabisi said Adeleke only gave approval “for the payment of one month’s half salaries out of the backlog of the 30 months”.

“Where are the foreign currencies that Adeleke boasted that he was having in abundance during his electioneering campaigns? One would have thought that Adeleke was having more than enough money in his family bank account to run the affairs of the state based on his constant boasting postures then.

“You can see now that you are in the saddle that running the affairs of a state is not a tea party but requires more than a dancing craft to make a positive impact on the governed. Adeleke should tell the whole world why he is still withholding the November 2022 salaries of all the political functionaries who were legitimately employed by his predecessor.

“Adeleke should know that paying one month of the 30 months owed workers is inconsequential considering the fact that his government in the last 60 days has earned over N60bn allocation and other statutory incomes,” he said.

But while responding, the PDP’s Director of Media in the state, Olabamiji Oladele, in a statement titled, ‘Payment of half salaries: APC is ashamed of its records,’ said rather than apologising to public servants in the state for imposing poverty on them through payment of modulated salaries, the APC still went ahead to criticise Adeleke who promised and was already clearing backlogs of half salaries and arrears left by the APC government.

He added, “The attempt to shift the blame of the owed wages to the Rauf Aregbesola government is a bad way to make excuse for failure because, aside from the fact that he was a governor under the APC, his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, campaigned for office on the strength of continuity. Yet, Oyetola ignored the plights of workers and pensioners for the four years his administration lasted, as no kobo out of the money was paid.”

Punch