Hundreds of residents trooped out in Osun State Tuesday as different groups protested for and against Governor Rauf Aregbesola over salary arrears for public workers.
There were reported clashes between members of the Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) who led a protest against Aregbesola’s continued stay in office and another coalition in supported of the embattled governor.
The pro-Aregbesola groups included Ola Oni Centre for Good Governance, Osun State Civil Society Coalition, Committee for Democracy and Human Rights, Centre for Voters Awareness, Coalition Groups for Good Governance, Sharing Heart International, Climate and Environmental Awareness Initiative.
CSCEO accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sending thugs after its members during the protest.
It said, “several people particularly members on the Nigerian Union of Pensioners were brutally attacked and beaten up by the thugs,” with over 20 injured and receiving treating at a private clinics.
The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions such as “Slava/Osinbajo returns our money”, “Aregbesola: Stop receiving N500m monthly as security votes”, “Osun Assembly: Treat Justice Folahanmi’s petition”, “Our demand is that Aregbesola must go”, “Treat the petition not the petitioner”, “Aregbesola has destroyed Osun State” and so on.
Chairman of CSCEO, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman Alimi, vowed that his group would not relent in its protest until Aregbesola “is removed from office”.
In other parts of the state capital, Osogbo, pro-Aregbesola groups demanded explanation for what they called desperate moves by the opposition to capitalise on the nationwide problems of salary challenge to create mayhem in the state.
From Aiyetoro area of the state capital to Old Garage Area, Olaiya and Okefia Roundabout, the pro-Aregbesola campaigners carried different placards with different inscriptions such as “Don’t stigmatise Aregbesola over unpaid salaries”, “Osun is not the only state owing workers”, “Omisore, PDP funding violence against Aregbesola’s government”, “Salary issue is a national challenge” and many others.
One of those who led the rally at Olaiya, and a civil right advocate, Comrade Amitolu Shitu, while addressing the crowd, said the people of Osun must be wary of selfish politicians using the salary issues to create tension and make Aregbesola appear like an enemy of the people.
Shitu said, “To the best of our knowledge, the Nigeria Labour Congress has identified at least 23 states of the federation where salaries are not paid up to date. In fact, if you look at the local government workers, Osun is one of the states owing the least number of months with the payment local government workers up till February and we are aware that even that of March is ready. There are states with up to 8 months of unpaid salaries in councils.
“The same thing goes for state civil servants. Why then is this crazy stigmatization of Osun and its governor? We are here to say enough is enough.”
