The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Osun State, Alhaji Issa Adesiji Azeez, has defended the salary arrangement introduced during the administration of former governor Rauf Aregbesola, insisting that workers did not receive half salaries as widely claimed.
Azeez spoke on Monday while featuring as a guest on the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform, where he addressed issues ranging from the state’s economic history to security, employment and the forthcoming August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Speaking on the salary crisis experienced during Aregbesola’s administration, Azeez said the government faced severe economic challenges but was determined to avoid retrenching civil servants.
According to him, “a committee was established to find a solution acceptable to both government and labour representatives”.
He explained that the committee was chaired by Hassan Sunmonu, while former governor Adegboyega Oyetola as Chief of Staff to Rauf Aregbesola led the government side and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji also served as a member.
“The committee resolved against laying off any civil servant. Workers on Grade Levels 1 to 7 received their full salaries, those on Grade Levels 8 to 12 received three-quarters of their salaries, while workers on Grade Level 13 and above, including politicians, received half salaries,” he stated.
Azeez maintained that describing the arrangement as payment of half salaries was inaccurate, adding that it was a salary modulation agreed upon by stakeholders.
“Aregbesola did not pay half salary but modulated salary as agreed by the civil servants,” he stated.
Azeez who was former Ilesa West local government council area chairman, also argued that Aregbesola’s decision protected jobs during the economic downturn and noted that the former governor continued to pay an additional month’s salary despite the financial difficulties facing the state.
On the ADC and Aregbesola’s political movement, the party chairman said the objective was to demonstrate the political value and influence of the former governor and his supporters.
“For the whole world to know Aregbesola’s worth and the worth of his followers,” he said.
Addressing the challenges confronting Osun State, Azeez identified insecurity as the most pressing concern.
“Security threat is the biggest challenge facing Osun State. The lives of youths are very paramount to the ADC,” he said.
The ADC chairman also expressed confidence that his party would emerge victorious in the August 15 governorship election and urged political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the poll.
“Politics is like trading. The political parties should allow the people to decide peacefully.
“We are not for violence but we are bringing peace to the state. We appeal to both camps to emulate the ADC. You will never see any ADC member attacking anybody. We are lawful people and we are going to maintain it,” he said.
Commenting on the relationship between former governor Rauf Aregbesola and President Bola Tinubu, Azeez said Aregbesola had been active in politics before President Tinubu and played significant roles in the President’s political journey.
He, however, said any differences between the two leaders should be left with God.
He criticised the economic reforms of the current administration, describing their impact on citizens as unfavourable, while adding that the ADC had reserved 35 per cent of opportunities for youths and another 35 per cent for women.