Anxiety in Osun over payment of salary to Oyetola’s appointees, 1,500 teachers
As Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke began payment of salary to civil servants for November 2022, 1,500 school teachers and political appointees of his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, have expressed concern about the payment of their emoluments.
The governor had ordered submission of salary schedule to relevant office within 24 hours, directing desk officers to ensure submission by outstanding agencies, while taking briefing from the Ministry of Finance.
Adeleke yesterday announced that the payment of salaries was ongoing, starting with the Ministry of Justice.
A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke had ordered expedited payment of salaries.
He said: “Any ministry, department or agency that fails to submit its salary schedule latest today will be sanctioned. Any agency head who obstructs the process of scheduling will face disciplinary procedures.
“This warning is sequel to report that some agencies are still holding unto their agency’s schedules despite the directive of the governor.
“Currently, payment of salary is ongoing, starting with the Ministry of Justice.”
One thousand five hundred teachers are optimistic to receive their salary for November because of the Executive Order issued by Adeleke, stating that he nullified the employment made by Oyetola after July 16.
He was inaugurated as the governor on November 27.
Political appointees of former governor Oyetola have raised concern over Adeleke’s plot not to pay their November salary.
The appointees, led by former Senior Special Assistant to Oyetola, Kehinde Ayantunji , said: “Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Adeleke are not here for governance. Rather, they are here for vendetta.
“It is absurd and devoid of any logic to deny those who work legitimately for their salary. If that is the case, it means the people of the state have enthroned a military government in civilian regalia.
“What we have been experiencing in Osun in the last one week can be best described as re-invention of repressive government, where properties of suspected opposition party members are being demolished, where APC campaign facilities are being damaged openly, where public institution such as Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) that has been enjoying deserved autonomy, suddenly becomes a blackmail tool. This better explains the character of the people in government now and the difference between the former governor and them. I say it without any form of contradiction that former governor Oyetola represents civility in governance and the current administration is toeing the lane of brigandage.”
He added: “For your information, Oyetola never approved severance allowance for political appointees and it will be wickedness if you refuse to pay legitimate salary to those who worked from November 1 till November 27. It is their right to get salary, but if they don’t pay, it means Governor Adeleke is on political persecution mission in Osun State and re-inventing anarchy in the state.
“If this happens, definitely we are going to ask questions. I worked for it. It is my entitlement. If satisfactory answers are not provided, we can approach a court of law to seek redress.”