Ibadan-Former local government chairmen and councillors who were sacked by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in 2019 have declared that no fewer than 27 of their colleagues have died as a result of hardship.

The former council bosses noted that their colleagues died as a result of lack of money to take care of their health challenges owing to non-payment of their entitlements by Makinde.

Former Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, in the state, Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, stated this while addressing a press conference on behalf of other sacked chairmen and councillors yesterday in Ibadan.

Recall that Makinde, had few days ago, alleged that the former local government chairmen and councillors were distracting his government.

But, the former chairmen and councillors, while addressing journalists said that 27 of their members have died in the last four years.

Abass -Aleshinloye said the governor had refused to pay their entitlements amounting to N4.8 billion.

He maintained that the governor paid only N1.5 billion in two batches in 2021 and 2022, out of the N4.8 billion he was mandated to pay by the Supreme Court.

Abass -Aleshinloye added that the governor has refused to pay the balance as at the moment.

He said: “This media briefing is very important as it concerned the recent media chat by Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde. We need to address some issues. We have no skeleton in our cupboard.

“27 of us that we are in this struggle together have died. I am talking about former chairmen and councillors. Some of them could not get money to take care of their health challenges and this resulted into their death. We have been in the struggle since four years ago.

“Our lawyer is taking every necessary step, we will explore all legal means. We have our own technical advisers too.

“Our entitlements is N7.2 billion, they pleaded and we said that we will collect N4.8 billion in the interest of the state. They only paid N1.5 billion in two batches. One in 2021 and one in 2022. Since then, they have refused to pay.

“The Supreme Court gave the judgement the same day to Katsina state and they have paid.” (Vanguard)

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