Osun: Claims Oyebamiji was part of half-salary untrue, AMBO replies Adeleke

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) has dismissed allegations by the Osun State Government that Bola Oyebamiji, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was involved in the half-salary regime in the state.

Adebayo Adedeji, coordinator of the AMBO, in a statement yesterday, asserted that the claims made by the spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, were baseless and false.

“Let it be stated clearly that Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji was not part of the half-salary experiment. Historical facts show that the modulated salary regime began in June 2015, while Oyebamiji was appointed Commissioner for Finance in May 2017—23 months apart. How could he be labeled as an ‘architect’ of a policy that was already in place nearly two years before his appointment?”

He explained that shortly after Oyebamiji took over as Commissioner for Finance, the half-salary regime was abolished, allowing civil servants to receive full salaries despite the state’s financial challenges. “This achievement underscores his prudent financial management and commitment to workers’ welfare.” Adedeji argued that the real architect of the half-salary regime is the current Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Adeleke, previously responsible for that policy. Adedeji described the attempts by the Adeleke government to associate Oyebamiji with these past failures as “hypocritical.”

Highlighting Oyebamiji’s commitment to youth welfare, Adedeji noted that during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, bursaries were regularly provided to Osun students, and school fees were kept at manageable levels to ensure access to education.

“In contrast, under Governor Adeleke, parents are now burdened with exorbitant school fees, with reports indicating that students in institutions like UNIOSUN and the University of Ilesa are paying as much as N1.5 million, making them the most expensive public universities in Nigeria,” he said.

Adedeji criticized the Adeleke administration for profiting off education while neglecting the system’s needs, noting that 1,500 teachers were laid off and over 32,000 job applicants were misled during the recruitment process. “The government has commercialized education and is now profiting from the challenges faced by our youths. No genuine lover of youths would cripple the education system by denying students the teachers they need,” he stated.

Adedeji reiterated Oyebamiji’s commitment to youth welfare, education, and economic opportunities, asserting that he fully understands the destiny of Osun lies with its young people. “By God’s grace, when he becomes the Governor of Osun State this November, that promise will be faithfully fulfilled,” he said.