The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State, Alhaji Issa Adesiji Azeez, has defended the controversial salary policy introduced during the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, saying it is wrong to describe it as “half salary” for workers.
Azeez made this known on Monday while speaking on the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Guest Platform, where he discussed key issues such as Osun’s economic history, security challenges, job creation, and the upcoming August 15, 2026 governorship election.
He explained that during Aregbesola’s tenure, the government was facing serious financial pressure but made a decision not to sack civil servants.
According to him, a special committee was set up to find a fair solution acceptable to both the government and labour leaders.
The committee, he said, was chaired by Hassan Sunmonu, while then-Chief of Staff, Adegboyega Oyetola, led the government team. The APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was also part of the arrangement.
Azeez said the outcome of the committee was a structured salary system, not outright salary cuts. Under the arrangement, workers on Grade Levels 1 to 7 received full salaries, those on Levels 8 to 12 got 75 percent of their pay, while those on Level 13 and above, including political office holders, received 50 percent.
He stressed that calling it “half salary” was misleading, explaining that it was a jointly agreed salary adjustment meant to manage a difficult economic situation.
“Aregbesola did not simply pay half salary. It was a salary arrangement agreed with workers’ representatives,” he said.
The ADC chairman, who also once served as Ilesa West Local Government chairman, added that the policy helped save jobs during a tough financial period. He also noted that despite the challenges, the Aregbesola administration still managed to pay an extra month’s salary at some point.
Speaking on politics, Azeez said the ADC and Aregbesola’s political movement were working to show the strength and influence of the former governor and his supporters.
He also identified insecurity as the biggest challenge facing Osun State, stressing that the safety of young people remains a top priority for his party.
Looking ahead to the August 15 governorship election, he expressed confidence that the ADC would perform strongly and urged all political actors to maintain peace before, during, and after the polls.
He added that politics should be about peaceful competition, not violence, and assured that ADC members are committed to non-violent engagement.
Commenting on national politics, Azeez said Aregbesola had been active in politics even before President Bola Tinubu and played important roles in his political rise. However, he said any disagreement between both men should be left for God to settle.
He also criticised the current economic situation in the country, saying reforms have made life harder for citizens, while noting that the ADC had reserved 35 percent of opportunities for young people and another 35 percent for women.