No fewer than 349 former elected councillors in Ogun State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene and approve the payment of their outstanding severance allowances, which they said have remained unpaid for over seven years.

The appeal was made during a peaceful protest at the Government Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, by former councillors who served across the state between 2016 and 2019.

Speaking on behalf of the group, a former councillor representing Totoro/Shokori Ward 11 in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Biobaku Wasiu, said the appeal became necessary due to the worsening condition of many ex-councillors who have been left without financial support since leaving office.

Wasiu explained that the affected councillors were duly elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following elections conducted by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission in 2016.

“We are using this opportunity to respectfully appeal to the governor and the general public. We were properly elected into office, we served the people, and we disengaged according to the law. Our severance allowances remain unpaid till today,” he said.

He noted that the protest was peaceful and intended to draw attention to their plight while reaffirming the legitimacy of their service.

“We came out in large numbers to show that we truly served as councillors and chairmen in our various local governments and LCDAs. We have documentary evidence to prove this,” he added.

Wasiu further disclosed that several former councillors are currently battling serious health challenges and cannot afford medical treatment due to prolonged financial hardship.

“Many of our colleagues are sick and struggling. Without any income or severance support, it has become extremely difficult for them to meet basic medical and family needs,” he lamented.

Also speaking, a former councillor from Igbogila, Hon. Alaba Ajoke, appealed directly to Governor Abiodun to demonstrate compassionate leadership by facilitating the immediate release of their long-overdue statutory entitlements.

“Mister Governor, we humbly appeal to you. Please look into our situation and help us. We strongly believe this is within your power, and it will bring relief to hundreds of families,” she said.

Similarly, Hon. Kayode Olumide, who represented Abeokuta South Ward 14, urged the governor to include them in the ongoing processing of severance payments.

“We heard that His Excellency is processing the payment for 2021 to 2024. So we are here to plead that he should also include our own severance payment for 2016 to 2019,” he said.

“It is only the government that can determine the amount to be paid, so we cannot decide that,” he added.

The group also called on the general public, civil society organisations, and social media influencers to amplify their appeal, stressing that their demand is lawful, peaceful, and rooted in fairness.