Former councillors who served in the 16 local government areas of Kwara State between 2013 and 2016 have appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene in the payment of their outstanding severance allowances and other entitlements, expressing concern over what they described as years of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
The Former Lawmaker s, under the aegis of the Forum of Ex-Councillors, Kwara State Chapter, made the appeal in a press statement signed by the forum’s Chairman, Hon. Oloyede Olabisi Emmanuel, and Secretary, Hon. Ganiyu Lawal respectfully.
The Group, comprising members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said its members had remained patient and loyal to the party despite the prolonged delay in the payment of their entitlements.
According to the forum, its members served at the grassroots level between 2013 and 2016, contributing to democratic governance and development across their respective local government areas.
The former councillors lamented that since the expiration of their tenure, their severance allowances and other outstanding entitlements had remained unpaid despite several appeals, written representations and peaceful engagements with relevant authorities.
They appealed to Governor AbdulRazaq to use his good offices to address their plight, stressing that many of the affected former councillors were facing serious financial and health challenges.
The Forum added that its members had continued to mobilise support for the APC, participate in political activities and defend the party at various levels despite their unresolved grievances.
It expressed sadness that, after years of waiting, assurances and promises, no concrete action had been taken to settle the outstanding entitlements.
The Group further disclosed that some of its members had died, while others were battling illnesses and struggling with poverty, describing the situation as distressing for people who had previously served the state in elected public offices.
The Former Councillors therefore urged the governor to treat their appeal as a matter of urgency and direct the immediate payment of their entitlements.
They also called on the state government to give their case the same consideration they said had been extended to former political officeholders in other states and to other categories of political officeholders.
In what could have political implications for the ruling party, the forum disclosed that opposition political parties had been approaching its members with offers of political realignment, although it said they had continued to resist such overtures in the hope that Governor AbdulRazaq would address their grievances.
The Forum maintained that its appeal was not intended to undermine the APC-led administration but to draw attention to what it described as a longstanding issue requiring the governor’s personal intervention.
It expressed hope that Governor AbdulRazaq would respond positively to the appeal and demonstrate his administration’s commitment to fairness, justice and the welfare of those who had served the state in public office.
The former councillors reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, while appealing to the governor to address their outstanding entitlements and prevent the prolonged delay from undermining their confidence in the party.
