By John Dike Osogbo
Omoluabi Progressives, a leading political group in Osun State, has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of deliberately twisting historical facts surrounding the tenure of former Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, now the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement signed by the group’s Organising and Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, the Adeleke-led government was accused of launching a sustained campaign to discredit Aregbesola’s achievements, particularly regarding the controversial modulated salary policy.
The group described the policy, often labelled “half salary,” as a necessary economic intervention, not an act of mismanagement.
It explained that the arrangement was jointly agreed upon by the state government, civil service unions, and stakeholders in response to the nationwide fiscal crisis at the time.
It said, “The modulated salary regime was not an act of malice. Civil servants from Grade Levels 1 to 7 received full salaries. Only senior officers and political appointees were affected.
“It was a painful but transparent strategy to prevent mass retrenchment during an unprecedented economic downturn.”
The group further reminded the public that Osun was one of over 20 states affected by crashing oil prices and dwindling federal allocations, stressing that the policy was implemented in good faith to safeguard jobs and public service delivery.
It also noted that Aregbesola, upon assuming office in 2010, cleared outstanding salary arrears inherited from the previous administration.
