Alleged Unpaid Salary Debt Of N76 Billion In Osun, Fmr Gov Oyetola Says Successor Is Acting Drama

By  Ayodele Oni

The Osun state government has raised alarm over what it described as a monumental debt in salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments incurred by the immediate past administration of Mr. Gboyega Oyetola amounting to N76 billion.

This revelation was made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Bimpe Ogunlumade, while briefing officials of the new administration on the financial status of the state on Thursday.

Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola has however reacted to the allegation insisting that his administration during its four years tenure did not owe workers throughout.

The disclosure was contrary to the claim by the former Governor that he left N14bn in cash for the new government among other bogus claims that have now been found to be an outright falsehood.

A statement by spokesman to Governor Ademola Adeleke claimed that “The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities as disclosed by the Permanent Secretary are as follows:

“Salary: N29,875,191,128.64; Pension Arrears: N45,375,237,693.40; Group Life Assurance Scheme: N554,644,028.97

“Total: N75,805,072,851.01. The public is advised that this is not the total debt left by the past administration as briefings on other sources of liabilities continue tomorrow.”

Reacting through a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Ismael Omipidan said

“The claim by the Government of Osun that the Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration owed salary arrears and pensions to the tune of over N75 billion is not only outlandish but preposterous.

“Our suspicion is that they have gone to dig up the arrears owed by their partner and collaborator, the settlement of which they used to hoodwink some workers ahead of July 16 governorship contest.

“For the  umpteempth time, let me place it on record that for four years, we did not owe a dime in payment of salaries, while we made conscious efforts to reduce the backlog of pensions and gratuities we inherited.

“This also explains why for four years we did not witness any industrial dispute. By their figure, what it means is that we owed salaries for close to one year.

“Is that possible? The Labour Union can also bear testimony to the fact that we never left any salary unpaid in our time, just as we did not take any bank loan for four years.

“The new Governor and his team want to ride on a populism mantra. Unfortunately, They do not understand the concept and philosophy of populism.

“That’s why they have resorted to blackmail. On the day of inauguration, the Governor said it would take time for him to pay salaries because he needed to freeze government account to enable him to look at the books.

“Today, he is saying he frowns at delay in payment of salary. And for November salary, we actually signed off since November 20th. I am sure we are in for more drama.”