ADC chairman says Aregbesola did not pay Osun civil servants half salaries.

The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State, Alhaji Issa Adesiji Azeez, has defended the salary structure introduced during the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, insisting that workers were not paid half salaries as widely alleged.

Speaking on the salary controversy under Aregbesola’s administration, Azeez said the government was faced with severe financial constraints but chose to avoid laying off civil servants.

According to him, a committee was set up to proffer a solution acceptable to both government and labour representatives.

He noted that the committee was chaired by Hassan Sunmonu, while then-Chief of Staff, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented the government side. He added that the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was also part of the committee.

Azeez explained that the committee recommended that no worker should be sacked. He said civil servants on Grade Levels 1 to 7 received full salaries, those on Levels 8 to 12 received three-quarters of their salaries, while workers on Level 13 and above, including political office holders, received half salaries.

He maintained that the arrangement was not “half salary” in the literal sense but a jointly agreed salary modulation.

“Aregbesola did not pay half salary; it was a structured salary adjustment agreed with labour,” he said.

The former Ilesa West Local Government chairman also argued that the policy helped preserve jobs during the economic downturn, adding that the administration still managed to pay an extra month’s salary despite financial difficulties.

On ADC’s political direction and Aregbesola’s movement, Azeez said the goal was to showcase the political strength and influence of the former governor and his supporters.

He also identified insecurity as the most serious challenge facing Osun State, stressing that the safety of young people remained a priority for the ADC.

Azeez expressed confidence that the ADC would win the August 15 governorship election and urged all political actors to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

He added that politics should be conducted without violence, stating that ADC members were committed to peaceful engagement and would not engage in political attacks.

On the relationship between former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and President Bola Tinubu, Azeez said Aregbesola had been politically active even before Tinubu and played a significant role in his political journey, adding that any disagreements between them should be left to God.

He also criticised the current administration’s economic reforms, saying they have had negative effects on citizens, while noting that the ADC had allocated 35 per cent of opportunities to youths and another 35 per cent to women.