Politics

Salary Payments No Longer Sway Osun Workers*

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 23rd, 2026.

*Salary Payments No Longer Sway Osun Workers*

By Tolu Babawale

For decades, the payment—or non-payment—of salaries and pensions has been one of the most decisive political issues in Osun State. Governments rose and fell on the strength of their relationship with civil servants and pensioners, while election campaigns were often shaped by debates over workers’ welfare.

That reality, however, appears to be changing.

As Osun State approaches the August 15 governorship election, there is growing evidence that many workers are no longer willing to define their political choices solely by the regularity of salary payments. While wages and pensions remain important, they are increasingly viewed as a basic obligation of government rather than an exceptional achievement deserving of electoral reward.

The 2022 governorship election was, in many respects, a referendum on workers’ welfare. The backlog of unpaid salaries inherited from the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola became a dominant campaign issue and was effectively deployed by the opposition against the then-incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Governor Ademola Adeleke capitalised on widespread discontent by positioning himself as a workers-friendly candidate and promising a new era of welfare-focused governance. Since assuming office, his administration has ensured more regular payment of salaries and has taken steps to address some of the immediate concerns of civil servants.

Yet, while these efforts have earned recognition in some quarters, not all campaign promises have been fully realised. The commitment to clear outstanding salary arrears within the first six months of the administration remains unmet, while many pensioners continue to argue that significant obligations owed to them have not been completely settled. There are also concerns that certain welfare initiatives introduced by previous administrations, including workers’ housing schemes and vehicle loan programmes, have either been discontinued or received less attention, prompting questions about the broader scope of worker welfare beyond monthly salaries.

Perhaps more significant than the performance of any administration is the evolving mindset of workers themselves. Across the state, there is a growing consensus that salary and pension payments should no longer be treated as campaign incentives or political favours. Rather, they are viewed as fundamental rights earned through years of service.

At a recent public gathering, a teacher captured this sentiment succinctly when he remarked: “Payment of salaries and pensions is our entitlement. No politician should use it as a campaign promise to win our support.” That perspective reflects a deeper transformation in political thinking among civil servants. Increasingly, workers are moving beyond the question of whether salaries are paid to asking how those salaries are sustained.

The conversation is gradually shifting from entitlement to economic viability. Many workers now want answers to more strategic questions. They are asking whether Osun’s finances are sufficiently resilient to withstand economic shocks. They are concerned about the state’s heavy dependence on monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and what the implications would be if those allocations declined significantly.

As one civil servant recently observed, “What happens to our salaries if FAAC allocations drop by half? How much of our wage bill can Osun sustain through internally generated revenue?”

These are not political questions; they are economic ones. They reflect a growing awareness that government finances cannot be judged merely by the ability to meet monthly payroll obligations when federal allocations remain robust. The real test lies in whether the state can maintain financial stability and honour its obligations when external conditions become less favourable.

This emerging discourse suggests that workers are broadening their expectations of governance. Rather than focusing exclusively on salary payments, many are demanding a clearer vision for economic growth, job creation and long-term development. They want to know how the next administration intends to expand the state’s revenue base without imposing excessive burdens on citizens. They are interested in strategies for attracting investment, stimulating industrial growth, modernising agriculture and creating opportunities for young people. Questions about healthcare, education, infrastructure and pension sustainability are also becoming increasingly prominent in public conversations.

The underlying reality is becoming clearer: salaries can only remain regular and reliable when supported by a productive and expanding economy. Workers appear to recognise that the real challenge is not merely paying wages today, but creating the economic conditions that guarantee those payments tomorrow.

For candidates seeking office in the August 15 governorship election, this shift carries profound implications. The traditional strategy of placing salary payments at the centre of political messaging may no longer be sufficient to secure the support of workers. Many voters now appear more interested in competence, fiscal discipline, economic vision and sustainable development than in promises to perform duties that government is already obligated to fulfil.

This marks an important maturation of political discourse in Osun State. It reflects a transition from politics driven primarily by immediate welfare concerns to politics anchored on sustainability, productivity and measurable outcomes. It suggests that workers are increasingly evaluating governments not only on what they spend, but also on how they generate, manage and grow public resources.

If this trend continues, the 2026 governorship election may well be remembered as the moment Osun workers redefined the terms of political engagement. Salary payments remain important and will always be a critical responsibility of government. But they are no longer enough.

The conversation has moved beyond monthly wages to long-term prosperity, beyond political promises to economic sustainability, and beyond entitlement to accountability. In the years ahead, that shift may prove far more consequential than any campaign slogan and may ultimately shape the future of governance in Osun State.

Tolu Babawale, a political scientist and youth leader, writes from Iba, in Boluwaduro local government area of Osun State.