Ex-Personal Assistant to the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Hon. Razaq Olubodun, has warned the Minister to desist from misleading the people of the state with lies over 23-month salaries and allowances owed him.
Olubodun gave this warning in a press statement, copy of which was made available to DAILY POST on Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, to debunk a statement made by the Minister that he had paid him off.
Adebayo Shittu, DAILY POST recalled had said he has paid his estranged aide off saying that he does not owe him a penny.
But Olubodun in the statement noted that after several efforts, the minister only sent the sum of One Million Naira (1,000,000.00) to his account out of over Ten Million Naira, which include his basic salaries and other allowances for the period of 23 months.
He said it was a misrepresentation of facts that the Minister said he has paid him off, noting that his real salaries and other benefits was about Ten Million Naira and Three Hundred Thousand Naira (10.3m) for the period.
Olubodun who said though he had decided not to join issues with the Minister, declared that the statement made by the Minister while featuring on a live radio program in Ibadan “does not only smark mischief and sincerity but misrepresentation of fact”.
He said that he had no option than to join issues with Mr. Shittu for clarification and putting the record straight before the people of the state.
He said “My attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the honorable Minister for Commutations, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Shittu regarding the non-payment of my salary and allowances for twenty three months (23) while serving as his Personal Assistant.
“The statement made by the honorable minister while fielding questions on a radio program (Fresh FM) monitored on the 4th of November 2017, not only smark mischief and sincerity but misinterpretation.
“I have decided before now, not to join issues with the Minister in the media out of respect for some important and influential people and the respect for the exalted office of the Honorable Minister of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“However, since the Minister has decided to dance naked in the market square by making that statement, probably for image laundering and damage control, I have no choice than to join issue with him in the media at least for the purpose of clarification and putting the record straight, before the people of Oyo State which we both represent and the Nigerian people in general.
“Firstly, the issue for determination without controversy are as follows: “That, is it true that the minster refused to pay my salary and allowances for the twenty –three months? (Nov. 2015to October 2017).
“That is it true that my salary and allowances is appropriated along with that of the minister by the National Assembly, in the budget and is being paid into the minister’s account for onward payment to me?
“That is it true that my salary and allowances are being paid with along with that of the minister accordingly for the period of that twenty-three (23) months as at when due?
“That, where is the minister keeping the money for that period?
“That, is it true that I have send people to him to plead on my behalf for the payment of my salary and allowances before the matter degenerated to this level?
“That is it true that, it was after I tendered my resignation letter, consequent upon my lawyer’s letter to him, the same day; 9th October 2017, that he has to quickly pay the sum of 1,000,000=00 (One million Naira only) into my account on the 11th of October 2017”.
Olubodun noted that “These are the questions the minister would have to answer before a successful image laundering and damage control could be achieved in this salary scandal”.
“I will also use this opportunity to advise the minister to stop embarrassing the people of Oyo state who are very intelligent and politically sophisticated and who he represent with these needless and endless scandal at all times.
“Last time, it was the issue of Post Master General, now it is salary saga and non-payment of a contractor duely hired to do a job for you. I can go on and on.
“The above scenario smacks of wickedness, inhumanity, ungodliness, heartlessness, planleness and lack of organization on the part of the minister.
“Finally, I hereby appeal to the Minister to sit down, go into reflection, face the reality and change his style, because at the end of the day he is not going to be the only loser with the opportunity given to serve by Mr. President, general Muhammadu Buhari, but the people of Oyo state in particular and Nigerians in general will also be affected.
“In conclusion, I admonish the minister that no amount of media statement and postage on social media would solve the problem of this salary scandal, it can only escalate it and make it be more relevant in the public domain and discussion as I have already instructed my lawyer, barrister Wahab Olatoye to report the matter to the appropriate authorities if common sense and logical reasoning fails.”
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