Political appointees who served in the ex-Governor Idris Ichala Wada administration between 2012 and 2016 in Kogi State have made a passionate appeal to Governor Ahmed Ododo for the payment of their outstanding salaries.

The former Kogi State appointees said they are being owed three months’ salaries that have remained unpaid for the past nine years.

One of them, Austine Alaba Medaiyedu, former Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs, made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Governor Ododo yesterday in Lokoja.

In his open letter written on behalf of his colleagues, Medaiyedu said, “We passionately appeal to the Chief Servant of Kogi State for the payment of our salaries.”

The letter read in part: “Your Excellency, on behalf of all the members of the Forum of Former Political Office Holders that served in the administration of Governor Idris Ichala Wada between 2012 and 2016, this great forum writes to plead with you to please commence the payment of our three months’ outstanding salaries in the spirit of Ramadan.

“This month of March is a holy month of Ramadan and Lent for both Muslims and Christians all over the world.

“As a devoted Muslim and God-fearing governor of our dear Kogi State, we want you to have mercy on us and commence the payment of our outstanding salaries.

“All of us are observing Ramadan and Lent, and it is not easy to break fasting with an empty stomach.

“Your Excellency, kindly remember us at this critical moment. May the Almighty Allah hear our prayers, Amen.”

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The former appointees also prayed for Governor Ododo’s understanding and for God to give him the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state successfully.

The Guardian has learnt that the number of appointees affected by the non-payment of salary arrears is about 500, including commissioners, special advisers, special assistants, director-generals, etc.