Refund Diversion: Osun Govt Berates 2011/12 Retirees, Say Protesters Sponsored By Opposition

The State Government of Osun on Tuesday berated 2011/2012 set of pensioners led by Comrade Ilesanmi Omoniyi over the allegation of diversion of Second tranche of the Paris Club Refunds by the present administration.

The government who frowned at continuous accusation by the Ilesanmi-led faction, described the latest protest by the retirees unfortunate and clear indication that they are being sponsored by the opposition in the state.

Earlier in the day, the 2011/12 pensioners has addressed pressmen accusing the State Governor of plans to divert the Paris refund received from the federal government.

Mr Adelani Baderinwa, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy said in a statement that the pensioners have only chosen to be blackmailing the State Government of Osun on the payment of pension.

Baderinwa said it is obvious that the group is being used by the opposition from their incessant baseless allegations and protests.

The statement reads: “It is unfortunate that senior citizens of Osun state have chosen to be blackmailing the Osun State Government on the payment of pension. The 2011/2012 set of pensioners were the one that made accusation some three weeks ago that the state government had received the second tranche of Paris Club refund and diverted it when the fund had not been paid at all.

“When the money was finally paid last week, the state government announced that it has received it. Yet, the same set of 2011/2012 pensioners have come out to allege that the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration wants to divert the money.

“We appeal to these set of pensioners to desist from being used by the opposition as it is obvious. There is a standing committee led by Comrade Hassan Sunmonu that allocates and distributes fund to every sector and individuals.

“Aregbesola has always been paying the salary of the state workers alongside the pensioners with the available resources, so it is out of place and mischievous for the 2011/2012 pensioners to make allegation that the governor wants to divert the Paris club money.

“The 2011/2012 retirees are not the only pensioners in Osun. Something is fishy on their incessant baseless allegations and protest. Other pensioners in the state have not been acting that suspicious like those calling themselves 2011/2012 set of pensioners.

“It is important to state that other pensioners in the state have been appreciative of the Aregbesola’s commitment to the payment of their pensions, despite the financial challenges. Aregbesola has prioritized the payment of salary and pensions of the workers and senior citizens of the state.

“Aregbesola had used the first tranche of the Paris club refund to pay three months salaries and pensions in 2016 without any agitation from the workers and the pensioners. The governor would also make use of the second refund judiciously.

“The allegation of the 2011/2012 pensioners is spurious and their actions is unbecoming of senior citizens.” Baderinwa added.