Gov. Aregbesola: After i Borrowed N24billion Banks Refused to Give Me More Loans That's Why I'm Owing

Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola has blamed Nigerian banks for his inability to pay state civil servants. 

Speaking in Abuja at the annual Ramadan Lecture of the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society of Nigeria, Governor Aregbesola said, ''How can anyone accuse me of mismanaging the resources of the state (Osun State) when my campaign promises was based on populace welfare and infrastructural development?

''By Gods Grace I have delivered on most of the promises. Initially it was thought that only Osun owed workers salary, but it can be seen that it is a national issue and that 23 of the 36 states of the federation owed their workers.

''I am not shifting blame and I bear responsibility, but it was a responsibility Nigeria state forced on me. I am still laboring physically and spiritually to pay the workers’ salary. The challenge I face today was not my making, it is a national problem. I borrowed N24 billion to pay salary, but when the bank say I cannot borrow again, there is nothing I can do in the face of dwindling revenue accruing to the state''.