Ex-Ogun councillors beg Abiodun to release severance pay

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

The former officials said the prolonged delay in paying the entitlements had caused financial hardship and worsened the welfare of many of their colleagues.

They claimed that about 25 former local government political office holders had died amid difficulties meeting their medical and other basic needs, while two former local government secretaries were reportedly battling serious health challenges.

The ex-councillors made the appeal on Thursday in Ijebu-Ode during the quarterly rotational meeting of the Ogun State Councillors Forum, 2021–2024, Ogun East Senatorial District.

Speaking for the group, the Leader of the Legislative Council of Ijebu North Local Government, Abass Olanrewaju, said the former officials were not seeking confrontation with the state government but wanted the administration to address what they described as their statutory entitlements.

Olanrewaju said the group had previously explored several channels to resolve the matter, including engaging government officials, party leaders and other stakeholders, but had yet to get a satisfactory response.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the national and state leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the party’s Ogun governorship candidate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to intervene with Abiodun.

“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,” Olanrewaju said.

He stressed that the former office holders remained loyal members of the APC and viewed the party as a family capable of resolving internal grievances through dialogue.

According to him, the outstanding payments had become a source of hardship for former officials and their families, with some unable to afford medical treatment, support their children or restart their businesses after leaving office.

“Behind every deceased colleague is a widow, children, dependants, parents, relatives and communities that have been affected,” he said.

Olanrewaju urged Governor Abiodun to consider the plight of the former councillors and approve the release of the outstanding funds, saying the payment would provide immediate relief to those facing financial difficulties.

He also warned that the unresolved issue was creating disaffection among party members and could affect the APC’s prospects in the 2027 elections if not addressed.

The former councillors therefore called on the governor to urgently resolve the matter and restore confidence among the affected former political office holders.