Former local government leaders in Ekiti State are planning a peaceful protest because they have not been paid money owed to them for over 18 years.
The group, called the Forum of Local Government Past Political Office Holders (2004–2007 Set), includes people who served between 2004 and 2007. They worked as Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Councilors, Secretaries, Supervisors, and Special Advisers in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
They said the Ekiti State Government still owes them salary arrears, severance pay, furniture allowance, and other benefits. Even though they have sent letters and asked for help many times, they said nothing has changed.
Because of this, they sent a letter to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Eribo, asking for police protection during their peaceful protest. The letter was signed by their Coordinator, Hon. Olufemi Adebayo, and Secretary, Barrister Ayodeji Ibrahim.
“We want to peacefully protest so Governor Biodun Oyebanji can see how bad things have become for us,” the letter said. “We followed all the right steps to ask for our money, but we got no help. Now, we want to speak up peacefully.”
They said the protest is not meant to cause any trouble, but to ask for what is fair. They promised the protest would be peaceful and follow all the rules.
“We don’t want any violence. We just want the police to keep us safe while we protest,” they added.
The group also wrote a second letter, called a “Save Our Souls” letter, to a popular lawyer from Ekiti State. They asked him to help them speak out and support their fight for justice.
In the letter, they explained that many of their members are facing hard times. Some can’t afford food or medical care. They said more than 50 of their members have died since leaving office and many of the deaths could have been avoided if they had received their money.
They said some people who are close to powerful government officials have been secretly paid, but most of them have been ignored.
“This is not fair,” they said. “Everyone who served should be treated the same. We are not asking for a favor, we are asking for our right.”
They also blamed past governors like Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, and Ayodele Fayose for making only small and incomplete payments. They said the current governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has not made any serious efforts to solve the problem.
The group ended by saying they are tired of waiting and can no longer stay silent. They are ready to peacefully demand what belongs to them.
