Aregbesola denies paying self, others N50m severance allowance each

The governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has described as unreasonable and ludicrous the allegation that his government paid N50 million to him and each of the political office holders that served between November 2010 and November 2014 as severance allowance.

The allegation was purportedly made in a statement by factional chairman of retirees in the state, Omoniyi Ilesanmi, accusing Aregbesola of callousness.

But the governor in a statement released Thursday by his media adviser, Sola Fasure, decried the allegation. He described it as not only preposterous but also malicious and false in its entirety.

The statement read in part, “It is absolutely unreasonable and ludicrous for anyone to suggest that a state government will give each political office holder a N50 million severance allowance at this period when every available kobo is being mopped to pay salaries and pensions, provide infrastructure and social services and run a modest government.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the severance allowance of political office holders has been set in accordance with the State of Osun Public/Political Office Holders and Revised Remuneration Package Law 2007, section 4 (1) and (2) schedule (B) which recommends 300 per cent of basic salary as severance allowance.

“This recommendation was also taken on advisement from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) which recommends 300 per cent of basic salaries. However, the State of Osun law referenced above has a proviso of beneficiaries having successfully completed a full term or on pro rata basis, after a minimum of two year period of tenure.

Read also: Gov Aregbesola accused of callousness for paying self, others N50m severance allowance each

“With this arrangement, only the governor and his deputy are entitled to N6.6 million and N6.3 million respectively. However, the governor returned his cheque to the treasury, having waved his right to earn salary since he assumed office.

“Two principal officers qualified for N4 million each, 15 political office holders received N3 million each, and while 18 others received N2.8 million each. This was over a year ago.

“Governor Aregbesola demonstrated sensitivity to the financial situation in the state when he did not constitute a cabinet for more than two years. When he eventually did, he put all political office holders on half salary.

“How then could he have paid N50 million to each political office holders as severance allowance?”
Aregbesola, had maintained that it has remained the desire of his administration to offset the outstanding pensions and gratuities put at about N5 billion but that he has been hindered due to meager resources.

 

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