Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sympathised with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state over its ‘pronounced agony’ on the no-love lost between the state Governor, Ademola Ademola’s government and workers, warning that no amount of cheap rhetoric will wash away the ignoble records of the erstwhile ruling party’s in term of the welfare of workers in the state.
The PDP in a statement signed by its state Caretaker Chairman, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, yesterday, said the APC failed woefully in the latest attempt to pose as a friend of the workers, pointing out that the issue of the promotion arrears was one of the messes created by the party that Adeleke is working to clear.
Akindele maintained Governor Adeleke is committed to paying the promotion arrears to workers as promised, explaining that the delay has nothing to do with the administration as revealed by labour leaders in a viral communication to workers.
According to him, “Is it not funny, or perhaps, absurd that the APC is now posing as an advocate for workers? This was the same party that made workers go through hell in the years it was in the helms of affairs in the state out of deliberate wickedness.
“The mistake the APC made was to think workers in the state have short memory and will fall for its cheap antics going by their terrible experience while it was in charge. If the APC was this concerned about workers, the question is, why exactly did the welfare of workers suffer so badly under its watch?
“Since coming on board, Governor Adeleke has shown serious commitment to the welfare of workers in Osun State and even pensioners. This is evident in the payment of the 30 months’ half salaries and pension owed by the APC administration. Even the promotion arrears in focus was one of the numerous liabilities inherited by Governor Adeleke from Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and as a true friend of workers, is prepared to clear it.
“Of a truth, the Governor Adeleke administration intends to pay the arrears along with March salary but couldn’t happen due to errors in computation and reconciliation in salary records as attested to by Labour leaders in a message shared with their colleagues yesterday.
“The APC, however, seemed pained that workers showed understanding, hence, the reason for the frustration that its release. What the APC missed, or failed to understand is that Osun State workers are smart and can tell that Governor Adeleke is sincere about their welfare unlike the deceit and fake concerns that the APC administration represents.”
Akindele asked the APC to wake up to the reality of endless wailing as the bond between Governor Adeleke and civil servants in the state remains unbreakable, adding that the PDP-led government will not only ensure total cleansing of the mess created by the APC but take more steps to improve the welfare of workers in the state.
