Ogun State: 2021-2024 Councillors Demand Severance Payment

• Former Ogun State local government officials who served from 2021 to 2024 are demanding outstanding severance payments from Governor Dapo Abiodun.
• The Ogun State Councilors Forum, led by Hon. Abass Olanrewaju, made the public appeal in Ijebu-Ode after exhausting internal channels.
• They claim the non-payment of these statutory emoluments has led to the deaths of at least 25 former colleagues due to lack of healthcare funds.
• The forum has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, national and state APC leadership, including National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), who is the party's governorship candidate for the 2027 election, for intervention.
• The group emphasizes their loyalty to the APC and views the payment as a lawful entitlement, not a confrontational demand.

The non-payment of these severance allowances has reportedly had a severe negative impact on the welfare and well-being of the former officials.

A collective of former political office holders, including councillors who served in Ogun State local governments between 2021 and 2024, has publicly appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun for the release of their outstanding severance entitlements. The demand was articulated during a quarterly rotational meeting of the Ogun State Councilors Forum, 2021–2024, Ogun East Senatorial Chapter, held recently in Ijebu-Ode. This public plea underscores a protracted dispute over the Ogun State 2021-2024 councillors severance payment, which the former officials assert is their lawful due.

Hon. Abass Olanrewaju, who serves as the Spokesperson for the Ogun State Councilors Forum, Ogun East Senatorial District, and previously held the position of Leader of the Legislative Council for Ijebu North Local Government, spearheaded the appeal. Speaking on behalf of the forum, Olanrewaju emphasized that their decision to address the media was not intended as a confrontation with the state government. Instead, it represents a concerted effort to secure intervention for what they describe as statutory emoluments owed to them following their tenure.

The former office holders characterize their demand for severance allowance as a lawful entitlement, highlighting the statutory nature of these payments. Before resorting to a public appeal, the forum confirmed that they had exhausted numerous internal avenues. These included making formal representations, communicating through established channels, engaging with relevant authorities and stakeholders, and repeatedly appealing for intervention from within the system. Despite these extensive efforts, the matter of their Ogun local government severance entitlements remained unresolved, prompting their decision to speak out publicly.

Olanrewaju clarified that the forum's intention was not to cause embarrassment but to ensure the issue receives the urgent attention it merits. He reiterated the group's continued loyalty as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), framing their appeal as an internal party matter where leadership should address the concerns of its constituents. This approach suggests a desire to resolve the dispute through political channels while asserting their legal right to the Dapo Abiodun ex-councillors pay.

The non-payment of these severance allowances has reportedly had a severe negative impact on the welfare and well-being of the former officials. The forum tragically reported that at least 25 of their former colleagues have passed away, with their deaths attributed to a lack of financial resources to cover essential healthcare costs. Furthermore, information available to the forum indicates that at least two former Secretaries to Local Governments are currently grappling with serious medical challenges, underscoring the critical need for these funds.

Recognizing the profound human cost, the forum extended its appeal beyond the state governor. They called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in his capacity as National Leader, along with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Ogun State Chairman of the party, Chief Yemi Sanusi, to intervene. Additionally, they sought the influence of Senator Olamilekan Adeola, known as Yayi, who is the party's governorship candidate for the 2027 election and a respected political leader in Ogun State. The former officials believe that a timely intervention from these high-ranking figures could alleviate suffering and potentially save lives, emphasizing that behind every statistic are families, widows, children, and communities affected by the delay in Nigeria political office holders emoluments.

This article highlights a public dispute over statutory severance entitlements for former political office holders in Ogun State, signaling potential for litigation or administrative appeals. Lawyers advising former public servants or government bodies should monitor this situation for precedents on enforcing or defending claims related to such emoluments.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH