Ex-Councilors To Gov. Abiodun: Please Save Us From Public Ridicule, Pay Our Outstanding Severance Benefits

ABEOKUTA – Former councillors who served across Ogun State’s 20 Local Government Areas between 2021 and 2024 have appealed to the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to approve the immediate payment of their outstanding severance entitlements and those of other former local government political office holders.

The former councillors, under the aegis of the Ogun State Councillors Forum, 2021–2024, said the payment would provide much-needed relief to former political office holders facing financial difficulties after leaving office.

A former Leader of the Legislative Council of Ijebu North Local Government, Hon. Abass Olanrewaju Mohammed, made the appeal on Thursday while speaking on behalf of the forum at a press conference held in Ijebu-Ode during its quarterly rotational meeting.

Mohammed said the former councillors were appealing to Abiodun because they believed he possessed the capacity, authority and compassion to resolve the matter.

According to him, the outstanding severance benefits have become a matter of human survival and welfare for many former political office holders, some of whom are struggling to meet basic family and medical obligations.

He disclosed that the forum had lost about 25 of its members to death, while at least two former Secretaries to Local Governments were currently battling serious medical challenges, based on information available to the forum.

He said: “We are here not merely to speak, but to make a respectful, patriotic and urgent appeal to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, concerning the payment of our outstanding severance entitlement.

“Let me make it abundantly clear from the outset: this is not a confrontation with government. It is an appeal to government. It is not an attack on our party. It is a call to strengthen our party.

“It is not an attempt to undermine the administration of His Excellency. Rather, it is a plea for His Excellency to use his good office to bring relief to people who served the government and the people of Ogun State.”

The former councillor recalled that members of the forum were elected and appointed to represent their respective wards and communities, adding that they participated in legislative proceedings, passed resolutions, made laws and worked alongside the executive arms of their various local governments.

He stressed that the former councillors were not demanding anything extraordinary, but only what was legitimately due to them after completing their tenure.

“Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal to you: Please, release and approve the payment of our outstanding statutory severance entitlement. We served our various Local Government Areas faithfully between 2021 and 2024.

“We were elected and appointed to represent our people. We sat in legislative chambers, participated in council administration, made laws, passed resolutions, represented our wards and communities, and worked alongside the executive arms of our respective Local Governments.

“Today, after completing our tenure, we are asking for nothing extraordinary. We are asking for what is legitimately due to us,” he said.

Mohammed said the release of the funds would have a significant impact on the lives of the beneficiaries, noting that some former councillors needed the money to settle medical bills, support their families, educate their children, revive businesses and rebuild their lives after public service.

He added that the loss of about 25 former colleagues had further heightened the urgency of their appeal, stressing that behind every deceased colleague were families, dependants and communities affected by the loss.

“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 said.

Mohammed explained that the forum did not resort to the media as its first option, saying its members had previously explored several channels to resolve the matter.

He said representations had been made through appropriate channels, while relevant authorities and stakeholders had also been engaged.

“Unfortunately, despite our numerous efforts, the matter has yet to be resolved to our satisfaction and that is why we are here today.

“We have come to speak publicly, peacefully and responsibly. Our intention is not to embarrass anybody. Our intention is to ensure that this matter receives the urgent attention it deserves,” he said.

The forum therefore urged Abiodun to intervene personally and bring an end to the prolonged wait for the severance payments, describing the funds as more than an administrative obligation to the beneficiaries.

They appealed to the Governor to consider the plight of former local government political office holders and ensure that the outstanding entitlements were released without further delay.