₦airaland Forum

Public debates about Rauf Aregbesola’s time as Osun governor often swing between praise and criticism, but many arguments overlook the economic realities of that period. The nationwide recession from 2014 to 2016 hit state finances hard, with 23 states unable to pay salaries at all. Osun faced a sharp drop in federal allocation and internally generated revenue, forcing difficult decisions.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Aregbesola intentionally paid half salaries. In reality, the Labour Government Salary Apportionment Committee, which was made up of labour leaders and government officials, jointly agreed on a temporary modulated payment structure to prevent mass layoffs.

Throughout the recession, over 70 percent of workers (junior staff, teachers, health workers and local government employees) continued receiving full salaries and pensions. The modulation applied mainly to senior officers and political appointees.

Another widespread falsehood is that Aregbesola’s successor, Gboyega Oyetola, inherited the salary modulation. Records show this is untrue. A few outstanding balances of the modulated salaries were already cleared before Aregbesola handed over, and full salary payment had resumed eight months before the end of his administration.

Beyond the salary debate, Osun continued major development programmes. The School Feeding initiative served 254,000 pupils daily and later became a national policy. Thousands of classrooms were constructed or rebuilt, the OYES youth programme absorbed unemployed youths, and road projects continued across the state despite the financial strain.

It is true that the recession created emotional and financial pain for many families, and their feelings are valid. But emotions cannot replace verified facts. Transparency was maintained throughout the crisis, and Aregbesola’s strong grassroots support today reflects public recognition of his long term developmental impact.

The Aregbesola years were a mix of economic challenges and visible transformation. Narratives based on half truths may trend online, but they cannot erase the documented reforms, infrastructural investments and social programmes that reshaped Osun during one of Nigeria’s toughest economic periods.

StaffofOrayan:
Aregbe with his very parochial style of governance!
Local islamic man

Josepholome:
Public debates about Rauf Aregbesola’s time as Osun governor often swing between praise and criticism, but many arguments overlook the economic realities of that period. The nationwide recession from 2014 to 2016 hit state finances hard, with 23 states unable to pay salaries at all. Osun faced a sharp drop in federal allocation and internally generated revenue, forcing difficult decisions.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Aregbesola intentionally paid half salaries. In reality, the Labour Government Salary Apportionment Committee, which was made up of labour leaders and government officials, jointly agreed on a temporary modulated payment structure to prevent mass layoffs. Throughout the recession, over 70 percent of workers (junior staff, teachers, health workers and local government employees) continued receiving full salaries and pensions. The modulation applied mainly to senior officers and political appointees.

Another widespread falsehood is that Aregbesola’s successor, Gboyega Oyetola, inherited the salary modulation. Records show this is untrue. A few outstanding balances of the modulated salaries were already cleared before Aregbesola handed over, and full salary payment had resumed eight months before the end of his administration.

Beyond the salary debate, Osun continued major development programmes. The School Feeding initiative served 254,000 pupils daily and later became a national policy. Thousands of classrooms were constructed or rebuilt, the OYES youth programme absorbed unemployed youths, and road projects continued across the state despite the financial strain.

It is true that the recession created emotional and financial pain for many families, and their feelings are valid. But emotions cannot replace verified facts. Transparency was maintained throughout the crisis, and Aregbesola’s strong grassroots support today reflects public recognition of his long term developmental impact.

The Aregbesola years were a mix of economic challenges and visible transformation. Narratives based on half truths may trend online, but they cannot erase the documented reforms, infrastructural investments and social programmes that reshaped Osun during one of Nigeria’s toughest economic periods.

https://plateaujournal.com.ng/lies-vs-facts-revisiting-the-aregbesola/

umarnuhu1900:
Local as?

Says an APC errand boy

If joining the ADC to dislodge the rudderless government of APC from power by Aregbe is now what is resurrecting all these attacks on him by APC people, then they are jittery and their criticism is just done out of malice. We have serious issues affecting us abeg not all this one. Sigh.

Aregbesola’s tenure in Osun witnessed unprecedented development. All these salary and half salary talks are just to tarnish his image and diminish the impact he is making with the ADC in the South-West. I can see through these APC boys. Ogun go kpai you if you attack me here. Ewus.

Oddis:
Aregbesola’s tenure in Osun witnessed unprecedented development. All these salary and half salary talks are just to tarnish his image and diminish the impact he is making with the ADC in the South-West. I can see through these APC boys. Ogun go kpai you if you attack me here. Ewus.

Josepholome:
https://plateaujournal.com.ng/lies-vs-facts-revisiting-the-aregbesola/

Josepholome:
https://plateaujournal.com.ng/lies-vs-facts-revisiting-the-aregbesola/

sangresan:
We supported Aregbe during his first term and warned him when he began with those anti-people policies. Let his minions know that some of us have records of his policies, achievements and failures. So, you can never succeed in pulling the wool over our eyes in an attempt to rewrite history.

Was it not Aregbe and some other governors who confronted Okonjo Iweala to share all the money in the federation purse before the aforementioned recession of 2014? Even at that, Aregbe continued to mortgage the future of the state by borrowing heavily. By the time the recession came and the banks started deducting Osun humongous debts from source, the state under Aregbe had little left to pay for workers salaries.

It's false to claim that the recession was solely responsible for Aregbe's inability to pay full salary. NO. He borrowed for his white elephant projects and refused to even pay the arrears when Buhari released bailout funds for states.

kingsworldola:
Seriously, people like Aregberascal should just lay low, forget politics, and just be asking for forgiveness, God is a merciful father, He can still forgive him of his grievous cruelty.