Osun government, PDP in blame game on state of economy

The Osun State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state on Sunday commenced another round of bulk passing on the causes of the financial distress facing the state.

In separate statements, both sides accused each other of plunging the state into a financial crisis through profligacy and mismanagement.

The government’s Bureau of Communication and Strategy urged the PDP to bury its head in shame for being the architect of the various belt-tightening measures which Nigeria must put in place at the moment to ensure continued survival of the country.

The government said it was laughable for the PDP to think that it made any expose out of its mischievous statement when it accused the Rauf Aregbesola administration of cutting salaries of workers and introducing other measures.

The statement which was signed by the Director of the Bureau, Semiu Okanlawon, noted that the state government had no intention of reducing the salaries of its workers or sacking workers, but was embarking on a number of measures to keep the state’s head above the stormy economic waters which was foisted on Nigeria, Osun inclusive, by the PDP’s 16 years of misrule.

“If the PDP thought it made any news out of the removal of between 25 per cent to 35 per cent Overtime allowance of staff of some government agencies, it must be living in a fools paradise,” it said.

“If not mischief, how does that translate to cutting of salaries and retrenchment of workers? This is because there is no measure being taken that is not an outcome of rigorous deliberations with workers and other critical stakeholders.”

But the PDP in its response, urged Mr. Rauf Aregbesola to embark on an intensive management classes and to stop blaming it for his woes that has led to series of civil unrest and demonstrations in the state.

Speaking through its Director of Media and Strategy, Diran Odeyemi, in Osogbo the party said rather than address any of the issues raised by it, Mr. Aregbesola and his aides resorted to outright lie and propaganda including abuses and name calling.

“We wonder why a governor at the saddle of affair in the state for the past 5 years will now turn around and blame his woes on PDP and this is despite its promises and assurances during his re-election campaigns to put smiles on the faces of the people of Osun state,” Mr. Odeyemi said.

“Is PDP to blame for Aregbesola purchasing and maintaining multi-million Naira helicopter, are we to blame for millions sunk into planting of flowers from Asejire to Ondo state, is PDP responsible for series of miscalculated political expenditure spearheaded by Aregbesola to impeach Gov Fayose, sponsor APC states and presidential campaigns, Is PDP responsible for inflated contracts on roads, schools and “opon imo”, it is obvious that Aregbesola has lost focus.”

The party also chided Mr. Aregbesola for running the state as sole administrator without commissioners for almost one year, adding that “Aregbesola should solely be held responsible for the quagmire the state has been plunged as he thinks alone, acts alone with no regard for anybody including his party the APC.”