Government alleges propaganda, mischief as Osun IDPs return home

Retirees in Osun State who set up an  “Internally Displaced Pensioners(IDP) camp for themselves over claims of non-payment of gratuity and arrears have returned to their respective homes.

When our correspondent visited the venue where the camp was set up on Tuesday, no pensioner was found there.

Also, all the materials that were used to form shields on Monday were no longer there.

It will be recalled that the pensioners had on Monday set up an IDP camp, claiming that it was to carter for their members need.

At the camp on Monday, foods were distributed to the pensioners with placards inscribed with their demands hanged around.

Some of the pensioners contacted by our correspondent said they all returned home on Monday at about 02pm.

They said there was no plan for them to return on Tuesday.

“Our leaders said they will communicate when to converge again to us,” one of them said.

Calls put across to the chairman of the pensioners,  under the aegis of Forum of 2011/2012 Group of Retirees, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, , Mr. Omoniyi Ilesanmi, did not go through.

Reacting to the setting up of the camp, the Osun State  on Tuesday described it as another propaganda against the Rauf Aregbesola administration.

The government said this through a statement signed by the Director of  Bureau of Communication and Strategy,  Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.

The statement wondered that in less than 24 hours after the display of the photographs and the claim to have set up the camp, there are no traces of any camp at the Freedom Park Osogbo or anywhere in the state capital.

“This, to us, confirms the fact that the mischief makers have merely orchestrated a stunt. But discerning Nigerians can see already that this is a mere propaganda.” it said.

The statement added that Aregbesola has demonstrated unbeatable display of transparency in public administration.

“This government has given meaning to good governance. History will definitely be there to judge with Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s commitment to the good of the people,” it concluded.

It clarified that ‎if indeed, any camp was set up, it could not be for demand for payment of any pensions.

The Bureau stated, “Our attention has been drawn to a sensational display of photograph of some persons who claim to be pensioners in Osun who have dubiously grouped themselves “Internally Displaced Pensioners” and claimed to have set up an “IDP” camp in the state capital, Osogbo.

“To us, this is taking the joke too far. There should be limit to campaigns of calumny and deliberate fabrications of emotive conditions all in desperation to diminish the achievements of a government.

“It was common knowledge that the State of Osun ended the Year 2016 in the most financially boisterous mood ever with the payment of four months salaries to active workers and pensions to the passive workers.”

The Bureau said for the purpose of record, “pensioners on N1,000 -N20,000 collected 100% pensions; Those on N20,001 -N80,000 collected N75% pensions and that pensioners on N80,001 collect 50% of their pensions.

“By our calculations, Osun state pensioners alone got at least, N1,539,227,442.75 out of the N14.2billion paid to active and passive workers in the last two weeks as arrears of 4 months salaries and pensions excluding what the local government pensioners were paid for the same period.”

The statement asked discerning Nigerians to see this mischief as part of the determination of some disgruntled elements who are bent on deliberate fabrication of falsehood against this government.

“Without celebrating the failings of other places, the Osun government today is prominent among the states that have taken payment of pensions as a priority. It is therefore pertinent to ask these people what are there grouse against Governor Rauf Aregbesola. It certainly cannot be their pensions,” it added

It explained further that in 2015, Osun committed a total of N5,426,720,195.68 to payment of pensions in spite of the very difficult financial stress the state found itself.

“In 2016, the state also committed a total of N3,981,312,918.78 to payment of pensions. These are facts and figures that are in public domain,” it stated