Adeleke, Oyetola in war of words over alleged N76bn inherited debt
…We didn’t owe salary arrears — Oyetola’s aide
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Osun State Government and the immediate past governor of the State, Gboyega Oyetola, have staged war of words over N76 billion allegedly left behind by the immediate past Oyetola led government.
The Osun State Government claimed it has uncovered a monumental debt in salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments incurred by the immediate past administration of Oyetola which amounted to N76 billion.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the State governor, Ademola Adeleke, the 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.
“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.
“The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities as disclosed by the Permanent Secretary are as follows: (I) Salary: N29,875,191,128.64 (II) Pension Arrears: N45,375,237,693.40 (III) 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 (Friday),” it read.
Meanwhile, the media aide to immediate past Governor, Ismail Omipidan in his response 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,” he added.
