Pensioners' Protest Politically Motivated - Osun Govt

Osun Retirees blocking the popular olaiya junction

Osun state government has described the protest embarked upon by pensioners in the state over non-payment of gratuities as politically motivated.

The commissioner for information and strategy in the state Lani Baderinwa while reacting to the agitation of the Retirees said it is unfortunate to have the state's elderly citizens in the street in protest.

 Baderinwa expressed regret that the pensioners are using protest as the means to drive home their points. 

The pensioners under the aegis of 'Forum of 2011/2012 Osun Retirees" had Thursday morning took to some major streets of Osogbo to protest what they called "plans by the state government to divert the second bail out fund" and refusal to pay their gratuities and pensions arrears.

While the pensioners argue that they are being owed up to twelve months pension arrears, the State government however said that pensions have been paid up to the month of May. 

Baderinwa stressed further that against the claim of the protesting pensioners that the Paris Club refund has been collected, "the state government of Osun was yet to receive the newest tranche of the bail out fund"

The commissioner maintained that if Aregbesola could use the first tranche of the Paris club refund which was not known to the people to pay salary and pensions, it is unjustifiable for the section of the pensioners to say that the governor has received the second tranche and diverted it.

He said: “I want to say categorically that it is not true that government has received the second tranche of the Paris club refund money. It is not something that can be received behind the people, everyone will hear about it as the federal government will announce it to the general public.

“Therefore, it is preposterous for anyone to say that the money has been received when in the actual sense, it is yet to be received. I want to quickly add that it is mischievous to continue trying to blackmail the government of Osun state with that claim, because it is not new.

“We know the set of pensioners that are protesting, it is not the entire pensioners of the state. We know those who are being used by political blackmailers.”

Baderinwa added: “The first fund was never diverted, rather it was used to pay three months of outstanding salaries and no one knew the first fund was coming and government on its own without being prodded used it to pay salaries.

“For crying out loud, why would anybody be thinking that the second tranche would be diverted and used other than paying salary? If government on its own used the first one without anyone’s knowledge, don’t you think there is more to it than meet the eye?

“The allegation is unreasonable. For whatever that it worth, whenever it comes, it will be wisely and judiciously used like the previous funds by the Aregbesola’s administration. The truth of the matter is, when you look at it critically, you will conclude that it is political blackmail from the camp of opposition"