We mourn the transition of our leader and patriot, President Muhammadu Buhari. One would have assumed that a rational administration of any government would mourn the passage of a former President and desist from anything that will violate the sobriety of the moment. However, we understand the desperation of those who occupy the exalted office of the state administration. Otherwise there can not be any explanation for the despicable outburst of the media spokesperson of the dynastic administration that is incumbent now in Osun.
This response, therefore, is not to dignify their pettiness but to once and for all dispel their misinformation and set the record straight.
It is pitiable that the current administration, rather than focus on governance, is trapped in political confusion and directionless blame games. Let it be stated unequivocally; the debts incurred under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola were not borne out of recklessness or indulgence. They were invested in Consolidation Fund (the first of its kind in Nigeria ever before the Federal Government copied it as Sovereign Wealth Fund), Human Capital Development, the most successful Rural Access Mobility Program (RAMP), Social Protections Programmes, Security Architecture, Youth Empowerment, Schools Calisthenics, internationally acclaimed School Feeding Programme, Urban Renewal Programme, monumental infrastructure such as world-class schools, durable roads, and healthcare facilities โ assets that today would cost exponentially more to build due to the biting economic policies and inflation inflicted by the current ruling elite.
The modulated salary regime, often cynically described as โhalf salaryโ, was not an act of malice but a painful and transparent necessity jointly agreed to by the leadership of the civil service unions and the government as well as eminent personalities. It was equally jointly implemented and monitored by all, under the oversight by leading labour lights in the state. The strategy of modulated salaries was simply predicated on prevention of job loss (sacking of civil servants), which now led to payment of partial salaries to senior civil servants and political office holders, which for emphasis, affected political office holders and senior civil servants only. We would have mentioned the Governor himself but for the fact that he never collected any salary in office throughout his tenure nor is he being paid any pension now. For the records, all Levels 1-7 civil servants in the state received FULL SALARY throughout the tenure of Ogbeni, and they are the majority.
It is worth reminding the public that over 20 states across Nigeria faced the same salary crisis during that period โ a direct consequence of falling oil revenues and a crashing economy due to reported stealing of 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily that affected accruals into the Federations accounts and allocations to Federal, states and local governments. Those who want to scapegoat Osun alone from what in essence was a national debacle, know what they seek to gain from the misinformation and mischief. It took the intervention of then President Muhammadu Buhari for states to find relief.
Civil servants themselves know who their friends are, Ogbeni prioritized civil servant rights and interests from his first day in office. To be sure, he was sworn in on November 27, 2010. He met a disillusioned civil service whose workers were paid their salaries a month in arrears. He cleared the arrears in the first week of December 2010, paid 13 month salary in the second week of the month and the December salary before Christmas. It was then a sweet novelty and bonanza that was wildly celebrated. Leave allowances that were paid as privileges became a right of workers . Leave allowances payment were automated based on the choice of workers on either their date of employment in the service or date of birth. This ended the abuses and deprivation that the previous selective method embodied. A gesture which has since been abandoned by both the immediate succeeding and the current administrations. We made bold to say that payment of full salary was resumed months before the exit of Ogbeni and certainly six months arrears of the withheld salaries were paid to the affected parties too. The fact that the current administration even inherited any half salary arrears at all was the failure and irresponsibility of the immediate past administration; which sought to demonise Ogbeni and everything associated with the administration in which sadly he served in an eminent position. This is not a matter of opinion, but public record.
The popularity of Ogbeni is such that no amount of disparaging, scandal-mongering or mischief can diminish. It is well earned on his passionate commitment to human development, welfare of the people, freedom for all and life more abundant. This was clearly demonstrated in his electoral return in his second term election. If the people had truly turned their back on Aregbesola due to the salary modulation , they would not have re-elected him in 2014 with over 100,000 votes margin, which is still unprecedented in the annals of Osun inspite of the repression of the populace by the Federal forces at that time. The people voted for continuity, progress, and leadership.
Let us also recall that Aregbesolaโs handling of state finances and debt was reviewed at the National Assembly (during his ministerial screening), and he was cleared of wrongdoing, reaffirming the transparency of his administration both in Osun, sustained later in Abuja as Minister of Interior.
The spontaneous and thunderous welcome Aregbesola received during his recent return to Osun clearly must have rattled all his opponents beyond their ken. No handouts. No rented crowds. Just raw, unfiltered love from the same people some claim he โwronged.โ The people of Osun have spoken โ not with noise, but with presence and enthusiasm.
If the present administration will listen, it is advised that it focuses on governance. His predecessor spent his entire four-year tenure attacking, pillorying, maligning and damaging the image andor legacies of Ogbeni to his chagrin, eternal ruin and woeful defeat at the polls. It is always an exercise in futility and self-destruction.
In conclusion, we urge the good people of Osun to disregard the tantrums of Governor Adelekeโs impulsive attacks, which are nothing more than a desperate attempt to grab attention for his crumbling political edifice. This is not leadership. This is fear, panic and insecurity. It betrays a very poor and infantile leadership which the state cannot endure.
Signed :
Abosede Busayo Oluwaseun
Organizing and Publicity Secretary
Omoluabi Progressives
Tuesday, 15th of July, 2025
