Kwara Ex-Councillors Appeal to Gov. AbdulRazaq Over Unpaid Entitlements
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.
The former lawmakers, under the aegis of the Forum of Ex-Councillors, Kwara State Chapter, expressed concern over what they described as years of neglect and unfulfilled promises, saying many of their members were facing financial and health challenges.
The appeal was contained in a press statement jointly signed by the forum’s Chairman, Hon. Oloyede Olabisi Emmanuel, and Secretary, Hon. Ganiyu Lawal.
The forum, whose members belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said they had remained patient and loyal to the party despite the prolonged delay in settling their entitlements.
According to the former councillors, they served at the grassroots level between 2013 and 2016, contributing to democratic governance and development in their respective local government areas.
They 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 the relevant authorities.
Appealing for the governor’s personal intervention, the forum said its members had continued to support the APC and participate in party activities despite their unresolved grievances.
“Your Excellency, we have been patient, loyal and understanding with this administration for over seven years, believing in your mantra of ‘Iseya’ and your commitment to justice and the welfare of all Kwarans,” the statement read.
The former councillors expressed sadness that years of waiting, assurances and promises had yet to produce concrete action towards settling the outstanding payments.
They further disclosed that some of their 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 forum urged AbdulRazaq to treat the matter as urgent and direct the immediate payment of the outstanding entitlements. It also appealed to the state government to give their case the same consideration it said had been extended to former political officeholders in other states and other categories of political appointees.
In what could have political implications for the ruling party, the forum revealed that opposition parties had been approaching its members with offers of political realignment, although they claimed to have resisted such overtures in the hope that the governor would address their grievances.
“Other political parties who are aware of our plights are seriously wooing us, and we are seriously resisting the temptation because this is our home and we have a listening leader who cares for his followers,” the statement said.
The forum maintained that its appeal was not intended to undermine the APC-led administration but to draw attention to a longstanding issue requiring the governor’s personal intervention.
It expressed hope that 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.
The former councillors reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, urging the governor to resolve the outstanding payments to prevent the prolonged delay from further eroding their confidence in the party.
