President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought up the “Half Salary” nickname associated with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The remark came on Thursday, August 20, 2026, while Tinubu received Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who won the August 15 governorship election.
Tinubu Revives Nickname While Criticizing Atiku’s Subsidy Plan
Tinubu revived the nickname while criticising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027. “I saw one of my opponents (Atiku Abubakar) now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it,” Tinubu said. “That is a demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy. Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers.”
The president then directly referenced Aregbesola, saying, “In your state, I know a man that I raised who is nicknamed half salary.” The comment was directed at Adeleke, drawing a link between the former governor’s tenure and the state’s salary payment challenges.
Aregbesola’s ‘Half Salary’ Label From His Tenure
Aregbesola, a former close ally of Tinubu, is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The “Half Salary” label became associated with him during his tenure as Osun State Governor, after the state government faced difficulties paying full salaries to civil servants.
The nickname reflects the period when Osun workers reportedly received only half of their monthly salaries due to financial constraints. Tinubu’s revival of the term appears to use Aregbesola’s past as an example of the economic challenges he claims to have addressed at the national level.
Context of Tinubu’s Remarks on State Finances
Tinubu’s broader point referenced the financial state of Nigeria before his administration, noting that 27 states were unable to pay salaries, including pensioners and workers. His comments were part of a larger critique of Atiku’s proposal, which Tinubu framed as economically uninformed.
The meeting with Adeleke took place after the governor’s electoral victory, with the president receiving him at the Presidential Villa. Adeleke’s win in the August 15 election was confirmed, and the meeting served as a formal reception.
The video of Tinubu’s remarks was shared by Linda Ikeji on Instagram, with a post timestamped at 21/08/2026 2:15 PM. The clip quickly drew attention due to the personal nature of the reference to Aregbesola, a former political associate now in an opposition party.
