
A group under the aegis of Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation (AGF) has expressed its aversion to the Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, about the idea of impeaching Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
A judge in the state had earlier called for Governor Aregbesola’s resignation following his inability to find a solution to the current financial crisis that has left civil servants in the state embittered.
Honourable Najeem Salam confirmed on Wednesday that the assembly had received a petition from Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, calling for the impeachment of Aregbesola on the grounds of alleged financial recklessness.
In a letter dated June 24, 2015 and signed by the Attorney General of the Federation coordinator in Osun State, Adeboye Adebayo, the group, which acknowledged that Oloyede’s views should be respected, however, urged the assembly to disregard the petition because “Aregbesola has made meaningful achievements.”
The letter read in part, “Mr. Speaker, you know that before now, workers’ salaries, pensions and other emoluments were being paid as and when due, including car loans and 13th month salaries.
“Things began to go the other way when financial meltdown hit the country through the mismanagement of the national economy by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government and it is worthy of note that it was Aregbesola that first raised the alarm about the impending financial crisis.
“Benue, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta states also owe workers. So, it is not Osun State that is battling with this alone.
“It is due to financial recklessness and mismanagement by the Jonathan government. Inasmuch as we are not trying to interfere in the constitutional duties of the House of Assembly, we are just using this medium, like others, to restate our firm commitment and belief in the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the governor for the next four years.”