One of the leaders pensioners in Osun state, Comrade Yemi Lawal has called on Governor Gboyega Oyetola to bring former Governor Rauf Aregbesola to account for the 35 billion naira he collected as bail out fund at the tail of his administration.
Lawal, a member of Nigeria Union of pensioners, Osun state chapter Comrade made this call during a radio program in Osogbo monitored by our correspondent. “You recall that, pensioners the contributory pensions scheme on Tuesday staged a protest in Osogbo shutting down the government Secretariat at Abeere.
The government of the state under Governor Gboyega Oyetola has called on the pensioners to exercise some patience stating that; he has spent not less than 40billion naira to offset pension arrears since he came on board in 2018”.
In his appearance during the radio program, Lawal said “instead of playing some party politics, the present Governor, Oyetola should be bold enough to call on his leader for on his predecessor to account for the money he received at the tame of his administration.” Lawal said again “the amount that Aregbesola fixed for Osun state then was N35billion, if Osun cannot get the profit, at least, Osun should get the capital. If Aregbesola cannot account for the profit, he should come and tell us how he spent the 35billion naira that he received some weeks to the end of his administration.”
He continued by saying “We all know the problem started during his administration and he was unable to solve it till he left, now passing the problem to the present Governor. While we appreciate the present governor for doing well in the payment of the arrears of the monthly pensions of those in the old scheme, and also the gratuities that he’s paying bit by bit. We would like him to shun party politics and call on him to face a panel that would ask him on how he spent the money.
This money is a huge money and if Osun state can get the money,all the problems we’re talking about will be solved.”
“Those in the contributory pension scheme are dying and also need their money as soon as possible”
“We cannot continue to play politics with lives of individuals who have served this state for 35 years. Also I’ll call on the person in charge to lessen the propaganda of going on air to announce that they have released some money for pensioners. Recently, we needed to go and plead on behalf of some people whose landlord actually sent parking when they hear the news that; the government has released some money for the pensioners.
“We realized these people were not been paid, and when we got there we needed to plead with the landlord to ensure that they allow them in again. This kind of propaganda, that is part of politics but we don’t need politics as pensioners.”