By YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE

The organised labour movement in Osun State comprising of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) on Tuesday issued a warning to the immediate past Governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, to thread softly, and allow the people of Osun to decide democratically and peacefully who governs them rather than through forceful and violent means that he displayed in Osogbo, the state capital on Monday, February 14, 2022.

The organised labour movement represented by Comrade Bayo Adejumo, the Osun state chairman of JPSNC, Comrade Babatunde Adekomi, the chairman of Osun NLC and Comrade Adekola Adebowale, the Osun Chairman of TUC in a joint statement said the former governor should desist from his attempts to stir mud and contaminate the clear water of Osun State’s peace.

They stated that, “it is with sadness and bitter hearts that we remember the unpleasant and uncomfortable situation the entire workforce in Osun state endured the reign of Aregbesola, how come he is now playing on our intelligence to install his puppet on us as Governor. Former Governor Aregbesola should as a matter of duty and responsibility use his accumulated political wealth made from Osun State with which he intends to sponsor his aspirant to pay the 30 months outstanding salaries to our people.

Among other unforgettable moments we suffered in the hands of Aregbesola are eight years stagnation without promotion, nonpayment of yearly increment of salaries, nonpayment of annual leave bonus for eight years, denial of upgrading and conversion of eligible officers to the appropriate grade levels and systemic retrenchment of workers in the name of screening exercise etc. The peace and tranquility the state is presently enjoying under Governor Oyetola is second to none.

“It is public knowledge the Aregbesola left ruins in Osun as at November 26, 2018; the humongous debt profile of the state, the many abandoned projects littered all over the state, the many failed schemes of the Aregbesola administration, putting in mind the avalanche of huge resources at his disposal for eight years, we are of the firm opinion that the former governor lacks the moral standing to appear in public, not to talk of championing a cause for an average Osun person who is still suffering from his maladministration,” they stated.

The labour movement called on the president and stakeholders in the security sector to caution the minister from the path of causing trouble in a state that has managed to stabilise and live in peace in his absence.

“We are using this medium to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, National Security Adviser and top hierarchy in the security formations of this country to caution the Minister not to throw Osun into chaos and crisis using state apparatus of the officers of National Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Correctional Services to humiliate our people, destabilise the peaceful waters and atmosphere in Osun.

“Lastly, we appeal to state workforce to remain steadfast in their resolute determination to ensure productivity for the enablement of the present administration of Oyetola to continue to meet her obligations, even in the face of intimidation from our former debtor. This is our service and pledge to humanity,” they said.