South East Councillors applaud Otti over payment of Ex-Councillors’ entitlements
- Urge other South East Governors to emulate him
The South East Former Councillors Forum has applauded Governor Alex Otti of Abia State over what it described as his rare gesture in paying all outstanding statutory entitlements owed to former councillors in the state.
The group, in a statement issued by its Coordinator and Secretary, Hon. Chinedu Opara and Hon. David Uka respectively, said Governor Otti’s action has gone down in history as the first time, under the current democratic dispensation in the South East, that a governor demonstrated uncommon leadership compassion by clearing huge financial indebtedness inherited from previous administrations through the payment of statutory entitlements owed former councillors from 1999 till date.
The forum noted that, before now, what operated across the region was a selective payment model, where some sets of former councillors were paid while others were ignored, making Governor Otti’s approach the first of its kind in the zone.
According to the statement, the third tier of government, like the federal and state governments, is also a creation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The body, however, lamented that due to constitutional provisions which placed local governments under the control of state governments, successive administrations have relied on that constitutional advantage to hinder the smooth and dignified operation of the local government system.
It stressed that some of the strategies employed over the years to frustrate full democratic practice at the local government level include the administration of councils through appointed officials, poor treatment of elected officials, and the neglect of council workers and their welfare.
According to the forum, across the South East region — and possibly the entire country — elected officials, appointees and council staff are often denied full payment of their salaries, allowances and other statutory benefits while in office, while severance packages and other entitlements due to them after leaving office are rarely paid.
The group further stated that such frustrating treatment leaves many former councillors and other political office holders returning home empty-handed after service, thereby exposing them and their families to poverty, hardship and hunger.
It added that the situation has, in many cases, exposed affected persons to various health challenges, some of which have left them permanently incapacitated or even led to loss of lives.
The South East Former Councillors Forum emphasized that Governor Otti, through his compassionate and humanitarian gesture of paying all categories of former councillors in Abia State, has set a high standard, made history, and restored hope to thousands of beneficiaries and their dependents.
The forum further observed that the injection of such funds into the state economy would also contribute positively to economic growth and improved living conditions.
It noted that it was because of the numerous positive impacts of the governor’s action that the group decided to publicly applaud and celebrate him.
While acknowledging that other governors in the South East were also making efforts to address outstanding allowances owed former councillors in their respective states, the forum urged them to emulate Governor Otti by demonstrating the political will needed to permanently resolve the lingering issue.
