The Osun State Government has dismissed calls by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Gov. Ademola Adeleke to keep to his alleged campaign pledge of settling all employee salary arrears within the first six months of taking office.
Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, stated in a statement released on Friday that Gov Adeleke did not make such a pledge.
“Yes, Governor Ademola Adeleke promised to pay the arrears of half salaries, but he did not set any timeline for the payment. There was never a time the governor said he would pay up all the arrears in six months.
“The APC since losing the governorship election has been going about spewing lies and half-truths. I am not surprised though, they are now in the opposition, but I urge them not to mislead the people by looking for cheap sympathy. Adeleke has paid two months, they did not pay one (month salary) for four years, should they be talking?
“This government already has an agreement with the NLC, there is already a modality on how the half salary arrears will be paid and we are not going to renege,” the commissioner stated.
While emphasizing that Adeleke and the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State had worked out details on how the arrears would be paid, Alimi stressed that the current administration will continue to prioritize civil servants’ wellbeing.
He also advised the public to dismiss APC members and their notorious antics, calling their attitude on the topic as losing touch with reality following their electoral failure.