Abiodun Settles ₦3.5bn LG Severance, Ex-Officials Declare: ‘This Is Unprecedented’
ABEOKUTA — Former political office-holders across Ogun State have hailed Governor Dapo Abiodun after the state government cleared ₦3.503 billion in outstanding severance allowances owed former local government officials.
The payment covers 1,042 beneficiaries who served between 2016 and 2024 across the state’s 20 local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The beneficiaries include former chairmen, vice-chairmen, secretaries to local governments, supervisors, special advisers and councillors.
The presentation of cheques took place on Tuesday at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
According to the state government, 526 beneficiaries from the 2016–2019 tenure and 516 beneficiaries from the 2020–2024 tenure were covered by the settlement.
The government said the payment followed a verification and reconciliation exercise conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the State Audit Department and the Local Government Service Commission.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, former Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Hon. Emiola Ghazal, described the development as unprecedented.
«“This is unprecedented in Ogun State. We never believed a government could take responsibility for entitlements owed by its predecessor. The governor is truly a promise keeper,” Ghazal said.»
He said the payment demonstrated Governor Abiodun’s commitment to settling legitimate obligations and had strengthened the confidence of beneficiaries and grassroots stakeholders in the administration.
Other beneficiaries, including Hon. Okunade Adebayo and Hon. Abosede Balogun, also commended the state government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for what they described as a transparent and orderly process.
The state government said beneficiaries who have not received payment alerts due to account-related issues should approach the ministry with relevant documents for resolution.
The development comes as political parties and stakeholders begin preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with beneficiaries saying the gesture could further influence grassroots political sentiments across the state.
