Ex-Ogun councillors demand payment of outstanding severance

Former councillors and other political office holders who served in Ogun State local governments between 2021 and 2024 have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to approve and release their outstanding severance entitlements.

The ex-councillors lamented that the failure of the government to pay up their severance allowance has impacted negatively on their welfare and well-being.

They said not less than 25 of their colleagues have died because of not having the wherewithal to take care of their health.

They have therefore called on President Bola Tinubu, the national and state leadership of the ruling party and its governorship candidate for Ogun State, Sen Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi, to prevail on Abiodun to approve the payment of their statutory emoluments without further delays.

The former office holders made the appeal on Thursday in Ijebu-Ode during the quarterly rotational meeting of the Ogun State Councilors Forum, 2021–2024, Ogun East Senatorial Chapter.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Ijebu North Local Government, Abass Olanrewaju, on Thursday said that the appeal was not intended to confront the state government but to seek its intervention in resolving what the former office holders described as their lawful entitlement.

Olanrewaju said that, “We want the public and, particularly, our party leaders to understand that we did not rush to the press. Before coming here today, we have explored several avenues.

“We have made representations. We have communicated through appropriate channels. We have engaged relevant authorities and stakeholders.

“We have repeatedly appealed for intervention; unfortunately, despite our numerous efforts, the matter has yet to be resolved to our satisfaction. That is why we are here today. We have come to speak publicly, peacefully and responsibly.

“Our intention is not to embarrass anybody. We intend to ensure that this matter receives the urgent attention it deserves. Because we remain loyal members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we are also appealing to our party leadership to intervene.

“We respectfully call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, our National Leader; The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; The Ogun State Chairman of our great party, Chief Yemi Sanusi

“Our political leaders and stakeholders across the state and particularly Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), our party’s governorship candidate and a respected political leader in Ogun State, are kindly requested to use their good offices to appeal to His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, to urgently resolve this matter.

“We believe that our party is a family and when members of the family are hurting, responsible leadership should listen”.

Olanrewaju stated further that “Within the wider community of former Local Government political office holders, we have unfortunately lost about 25 of our former colleagues to death, while at least two former Secretaries to Local Governments are currently facing serious medical challenges, according to information available to our Forum.

“These are not mere statistics. Behind every number is a family; behind every deceased colleague is a widow, children, dependants, parents, relatives and communities that have been affected.

“Some of our colleagues who served the people with honour are today struggling to meet basic responsibilities, including medical expenses. This is why we are appealing to His Excellency with humility. Sir, a timely intervention can save lives.

“The release of this money will put resources into the hands of people who need them urgently. It will enable some of our colleagues to settle medical bills, support their families, educate their children, restart businesses and rebuild their lives after public service”.

He explained further that the non-payment of the statutory financial benefits has also been causing disaffection among the party members and that it is important that the governor addressed this issue with all sincerity that it deserves so that it will not affect the party’s outing in the 2027 elections.