Former aides of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the previous governor of Ogun State, have urgently called upon President Bola Tinubu to intercede on their behalf regarding their unpaid severance gratuity.
The aides, who served between 2015 and 2019, have been waiting since the end of their tenure for the severance payments they were promised.
In a statement released to the press in Abeokuta, representatives of the ex-Special Assistants – Fakorede Adesanya, Okoya Babatunde, and Musiliu Oladeinde – expressed their frustration and disappointment over the continued non-payment of their severance allowances by the current Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
They pointed out that despite significant revenue accruing to Ogun State under the Tinubu administration, and the President’s directive to state governors to alleviate economic hardships by settling outstanding debts, Governor Abiodun has not fulfilled his pledge to them.
The statement highlighted that the governor had made a promise to pay the severance allowances ahead of the 2023 elections, acknowledging that the former aides were entitled to these payments.
The representatives emphasized the emotional and financial strain caused by the five-year delay, noting that the value of the gratuity has significantly depreciated over time.
Many of the former aides, who had resigned from other jobs to serve the state, are now facing severe financial difficulties.
“This is an acknowledgment that we are entitled to and deserve the allowance,” the statement read. “The governor has denied us the legitimate entitlement for five years.
This has caused us psychological trauma. In the course of time, the value of the gratuity has depreciated considerably.
Many of our colleagues who resigned from their jobs to serve Ogun State could not return to their jobs. Many of them and their families are in financial straits, hence our appeal for President Tinubu’s intervention.”
The former aides have written several letters to Governor Abiodun, one dated August 5, 2021, where they praised the administration’s accomplishments, including the retention of 2,000 workers hired at the end of the Amosun administration.
In their appeals, they underscored their commitment and selfless service to the state, hoping that their contributions would be recognized and their plight addressed.
“Many of us resigned our jobs in order to serve our state. As the current helmsman, you would have taken cognisance of our plight during the four years of our faithful and selfless service.
“As we noted in our earlier letter on the subject matter, dated 6th June 2019, we humbly appeal to Your Excellency to kindly offset the severance in order to encourage sacrificial service to the good people of Ogun State by public office holders,” the letter stated.
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