Hundreds of former councillors who served in the 20 local government areas of Ogun State between 2016 and 2019 on Thursday staged a protest over the non-payment of their statutory severance and furniture allowances seven years after leaving office.
The ex-lawmakers, who served during the administration of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, converged on the Governor’s Office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, carrying placards with inscriptions expressing frustration over the prolonged delay in the payment of their entitlements.
Some of the placards read, “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.”
The former councillors said the continued non-payment had subjected many of them to severe economic hardship, adding that more than 50 of their colleagues had reportedly died due to financial difficulties and inability to access proper medical care.
According to the protesters, about 349 councillors were affected by the outstanding payments, which include severance packages, statutory furniture allowances, and two months’ unpaid salaries allegedly owed during their time in office.
They also expressed concern over reports that councillors who served between 2021 and 2024 were already being considered for payment, while those who served earlier had yet to receive their dues.
Speaking during the protest, former councillor representing Igbogila Ward in Yewa North Local Government, Ajoke Isola, said the affected officials served the state diligently but had been abandoned after leaving office.
She said the prolonged delay in payment had pushed many former councillors into avoidable financial crises.
“We served with dedication, but seven years after leaving office, we have not received our severance allowance. The government also owed us two months’ salaries and furniture allowance. Many of our colleagues became seriously ill and could not afford treatment,” she said.
Isola appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene and ensure the payment of the outstanding entitlements.
Another former councillor from Abeokuta South Local Government, Kayode Olumide, urged the governor to consider the plight of the former lawmakers, noting that they remained loyal members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“We heard that the severance package for those who served between 2021 and 2024 is already being processed. We are appealing to the governor to also remember us and pay what is due to us,” he said.
Also speaking, former councillor representing Ward 11, Totoro, Abeokuta North Local Government, Olufemi Biobaku, said many of the affected individuals were battling hardship and health challenges.
He insisted that the protest was not politically motivated but a desperate appeal for assistance.
“We are not sponsored by anybody. We are simply begging the governor to help us with the payment because many of us are suffering,” he stated.
Reacting to the protest, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the former councillors did not serve under the current administration.
Akinmade noted that other political office holders who served during the same period, including commissioners and local government chairmen, had reportedly received their entitlements.
He, however, assured that the government would investigate the matter.
“The appropriate thing is for them to engage the government. 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 it,” he said.
