From Dispatch Room
Political commentator and APC supporter, Akin Adeyi, has defended the modulated salary policy implemented during the administration of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, describing attempts to weaponise the issue politically against the All Progressives Congress as misleading and lacking proper financial context.
In a lengthy statement issued on May 9, 2026, Adeyi accused Governor Ademola Adeleke and some of his supporters of relying on what he called “blackmail strategy” by repeatedly referencing the “half salary” era as a campaign point ahead of future elections.
According to him, the salary modulation policy introduced under Aregbesola’s administration was a labour-endorsed response to the nationwide economic crisis triggered by the 2014 global crude oil price crash and the recession that followed.
Adeyi argued that Osun was not the only state affected by salary payment difficulties during the period, noting that more than 20 states across Nigeria experienced similar fiscal challenges between 2015 and 2018.
He stated that the salary arrangement was negotiated through a Joint Labour-Government Salary Apportionment Committee to avoid mass retrenchment of workers during the financial crisis.
Under the arrangement, workers on Grade Levels 1 to 7 reportedly received full salaries, while workers on higher grade levels received between 50 and 75 percent of their pay.
Adeyi maintained that the approach was adopted as a temporary survival strategy due to reduced federal allocations and rising wage obligations following the implementation of a new national minimum wage at the time.
He also claimed that the policy allowed the state government to sustain employment and continue infrastructure development projects despite declining revenues.
The APC supporter further cited reports from the Nigeria Labour Congress and BudgIT indicating that many Nigerian states faced salary arrears and required federal bailout interventions during the economic downturn.
According to him, the economic situation has since improved due to increased federal allocations, revenue reforms, economic recovery, and fiscal interventions introduced by the Federal Government.
Adeyi argued that current political campaigns in Osun should focus on governance performance, policy direction, and measurable development indicators rather than repeated references to the salary modulation period.
He added that elections should ultimately be decided based on performance, trust, and vision for the future.
— Newspot Nigeria
