Stigmatization of Aregbesola over salary unacceptable, say Groups

trooped out en masse in solidarity 2

Residents trooped out en masse to show support for Aregbesola

Residents trooped out en masse to show support for Aregbesola
Residents trooped out en masse to show support for Aregbesola

Some residents of Osun state including traders and civil rights organisations have jumped in defence of the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola over unpaid salaries in the state.

The residents who gathered at Osogbo, Osun state capital on Tuesday condemned what they described as unfair stigmatisation of Aregbesola over issues of unpaid salaries.

At different rallies held in different parts of the state residents trooped out under different groups, demanding explanation for what they call desperate moves by the opposition to capitalize on the nationwide problems of salary challenge to create mayhem in the state.

Ola Oni Centre for Good Governance, Osun State Civil Society Coalition, Committee for Democracy and Human Rights, Centre for Voters Awareness, Coalition Groups for Good Governance, Sharing Heart International, Climate and Environmental Awareness Initiative were some of the groups that championed the campaign in defence of the governor.

From Aiyetoro area of the state capital to Old Garage Area, Olaiya and Okefia Roundabout, the pro-Aregbesola campaigners carried different placards with different inscriptions such as “Don’t stigmatise Aregbesola over unpaid salaries”, “Osun is not the only state owing workers”, “Omisore, PDP funding violence against Aregbesola’s government”, “Salary issue is a national challenge” and many others.

Comrade Amitolu Shitu who led the rally at Olaiya, said the people of Osun must be wary of selfish politicians using the salary issues to create tension and make Aregbesola appear like an enemy of the people.

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“To the best of our knowledge, the Nigeria Labour Congress has identified at least 23 states of the federation where salaries are not paid up to date. In fact, if you look at the local government workers, Osun is one of the states owing the least number of months with the payment local government workers up till February and we are aware that even that of March is ready. There are states with up to 8 months of unpaid salaries in councils,” Shitu who is a civil right advocate said.

“The same thing goes for state civil servants. Why then is this crazy stigmatization of Osun and its governor? We are here to say enough is enough.”

A group named Civil Society’s Coalition for Emancipation of Osun state had threatened to shut down the state capital as they insisted that Aregbesola must be impeached over the salary issue.

However, a few of the anti-Aregbesola campaigners who came out were mocked by residents who expressed support for the governor.

The Governor later moved from the Government House in Oke Fia to his office at Abere, along the Osogbo- Gbongan Road amidst cheers and hailing by residents.

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