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

Pensioners in Osun State have accused Governor Rauf Aregbesola of wickedness and callousness for allegedly paying himself and other high profile retirees N50m each as severance allowance. These include his deputy and other former political office holders.

The pensioners, under the umbrella of The Forum of 2011/2012 Pensioners in Osun State, made the allegations in a statement released Tuesday in Oshogbo and signed by its chairman, Omoniyi Ilesanmi.

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“It is interesting to note that the Governor (Rauf Aregbesola), who could not pay the pensioners who served patriotically for between 25 and 35 years their meager amount of money as gratuities and are being neglected, dehumanised, humiliated, ridiculed and left to wallow in abject poverty and penury could pay his ex-political appointees (commissioners, advisers including himself and his deputy) N50m each with a single cheque on the eve of their disengagement for serving for just three years.

“Is this not an act of wickedness and callousness?” Ilesanmi said, among other allegations.

However, Aregbesola has argued that his administration is not insensitive to the plight of the pensioners, saying that he had been hindered from paying the outstanding pensions and gratuities put at about N5bn because of meager resources.

 

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