Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
More than 349 former councillors who served in Ogun State between 2016 and 2019 on Thursday stormed the Governor’s Office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, to protest the non-payment of their statutory severance and furniture allowances, seven years after they left office. The former lawmakers, who served under the administration of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, said they were owed two months’ salaries in addition to the furniture and severance allowances, and that over 50 of their colleagues had died since leaving office, many due to lack of funds to attend to medical needs.
The protesters, who were armed with placards bearing messages such as “No more promises, enough of deception, we want payment now,” “We are tired of being neglected, Gov Dapo Abiodun, please help pay our severance,” and “Seven years of suffering is enough, pay us now,” lamented the financial hardship they had endured since their tenure ended. A former councillor representing Igbogila Ward in Yewa North Local Government, Ajoke Isola, said the group served with dedication but had yet to receive their statutory benefits. “We served diligently between 2016 and 2019, but seven years after leaving office, we have not received our severance allowance, furniture allowance and even two months’ salary owed to us,” she said. “The non-payment of these entitlements has plunged many of us into severe financial hardship. More than 50 of us have died, and others battling health challenges could not afford medical treatment.”
The protesters also expressed concern that reports indicated the government was processing severance packages for councillors who served between 2021 and 2024, while those who served earlier had yet to receive their dues. Kayode Olumide, a former councillor from Abeokuta South Local Government, appealed to Governor Abiodun to facilitate the payment of the outstanding allowances, noting that the group remained loyal members of the All Progressives Congress. “We have gathered that the severance packages for those who served between 2021 and 2024 are already being processed, and that is why we are appealing to Governor Abiodun to also consider our case,” he said. “We are loyal members of the APC and have continued to serve the party faithfully. We are only pleading with the government to show us mercy.”
Another former councillor, Olufemi Biobaku from Abeokuta North Local Government, said many of the affected individuals were suffering from financial hardship and health challenges, and insisted that the protest was not sponsored by any politician. “We are not sponsored by anybody; we are simply appealing to the governor to assist us so that we can survive,” he said. The protesters, who also included 57 former local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and supervisory councillors, maintained that their demands were rooted in fairness and justice, stressing that they had contributed significantly to grassroots governance during their time in office.
Reacting to the demonstration, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, noted that the former councillors did not serve under the current administration. He said it was unclear why the government they served under failed to pay them, especially as other political office holders who served during the same period, including commissioners and local government chairmen, reportedly received their entitlements. “If others who served within the same administration were paid, then there may be issues the government needs to clarify. If their demands are genuine, the government will look into them,” Akinmade said, while promising to engage the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts.
The protest highlights a recurring issue in Ogun State, where former political appointees have repeatedly complained about unpaid entitlements. In 2013, former political appointees under former Governor Gbenga Daniel protested over the non-payment of their severance allowances running into N2.3 billion. In 2023, former local government officials who served between 2004 and 2007 also berated Governor Abiodun over alleged disobedience to court orders mandating the payment of their gratuities and allowances. The latest demonstration underscores the growing frustration among former councillors who feel abandoned after years of service.
As the protesters dispersed on Thursday evening, the government’s response remained cautious, with Akinmade assuring that the matter would be investigated. However, for the hundreds of former councillors who have waited seven years for their entitlements, the promise of an inquiry offers little immediate relief. Many of them, now aged and frail, continue to struggle with the financial and medical consequences of the prolonged delay. “We are not here to fight anybody,” Ajoke Isola had said during the protest. “We are only appealing to Governor Dapo Abiodun to help us and pay what rightfully belongs to us.”
The ball is now in the governor’s court, as the former councillors await action beyond words.
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