Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has attributed the negative focus on the state by a section of the media over unpaid salaries to the role he and the state played in defeating the PDP-led federal government in the March-April 2015 general elections.
Aregbesola gave this hint in Ipetumodu at a reception in honour of the special adviser on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina.
The governor said even though it was not only Osun that was caught in the salary crisis, some disgruntled opposition elements orchestrated unnecessary media campaigns against the state due to the role its government played in contributing to their electoral failure at both state and national levels by exposing the several cases of financial recklessness, abuse of power and other poor leadership qualities of the ousted PDP government.
Describing the campaigns against the state as campaigns of hatred and bitterness, he noted that those who are sponsoring the disparaging news on Osun are doing it to retaliate against his government for the defeat suffered by their leaders, which led to the loss of power by the PDP.
According to the governor, Osun is lucky to reap so early one of the benefits that change has brought to the country with the appointment of Adesina as the spokesperson of President Buhari.
Aregbesola described Adesina as a prolific writer, a thoroughbred professional, and a consummate journalist.
He affirmed that Adesina got the plum job based on merit because of his hard work, competence and dedication.
In his remark, Adesina thanked President Buhari for counting him worthy to be among his team members called upon to serve the nation.
He saluted the courage of the governor for standing firm in his commitment to moving the state forward even in the face of daunting criticisms and attacks by opposition parties.