Gov. Abiodun doesn't pay us despite working for his electoral victory, TASCE lecturers lament

Academic and non-academic staffs of Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu in Ogun State have appealed to Gov. Dapo Abiodun to pay their May, June and July salaries.

Abiodun, according to one of the lecturers, Adebola Talabi, has not paid workers of the college a dime since he assumed office on May 29.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Talabi, in a statement on his verified facebook page on Monday, said the governor "met a cumulative 54 months salaries before his (Abiodun's) 'young' tenure of three months adds another three months to it."

Talabi explained how staff of TASCE met Abiodun before and after the election, all in a bid to win his heart so that their salaries would be paid.

The academic revealed that the governor promised to offset their salary arrears immediately after his inauguration, with a promise that they would not suffer under his watch. 

He however expressed dissatisfaction that the governor, instead of paying their salaries, set up a visitation panel.

"Before election, the staff met him (Abiodun) and we tabled our problems. He actually empathised with us and promised that if God gives him the opportunity to rule Ogun State, our issue would be addressed urgently. We worked and prayed that he should win. After winning the election we congratulated him and was at every function he attended then. We met him in his home town to further appeal to him not to forget us. We lobbied through APC stalwarts in the state so that we can be considered. And after being sworn in, we still continue lobbying through those that we think could influence our cause. 

"The best we got from all these moves is setting up a visitation panel. We demanded for this, though. But we did not demand that our salary should  be stopped while the panel works. Even if the payment of arrears and other things would wait until the report of the panel, not the current salaries." he said. 

Talabi appealed to the governor to pay their salaries, especially as the Islamic festival, Eid Kabir, draws nearer. 

He lamented that many of the staff could no longer cater to their children and their aged parents; adding that those with health challenges could not afford drugs. 

He said, "We in Tasce cannot pay our children's school fees. We cannot take care of our aged parents and cannot maintain our health. 

"Please resume the payment of our salaries and clear the backlog that your regime owes. Relieve us from high blood pressure. Pay substantial part of the 54 months arrears.    Above all,  consider the fact that God has a purpose for giving you that office, and among others, it is to salvage TASCE. Don't let God down." 

While begging Gov. Abiodun to fulfill the promises he had with the staff of TASCE, Talabi charged him not to be 'misguided' by some advisers who may tell him not to pay workers of a non-revenue generating institution like TASCE, saying "we appeal to be paid our salaries, not charity."

"Don't allow yourself to be misguided. You will be the only person to answer before God. None of those advisers would stand beside you then. Tasce staff had good interaction with you before election. You felt for us. You wondered how we cope.  And you said nothing like that would happen under your watch.  Please don't throw us away now that you are in a position to help us." Talabi pleaded.