Ex-Ekiti councillors praise Oyebanji, begs for payment of bonus arrears
By Samuel Ogunsona
A group of former councillors who served in Ekiti State from 2020 to 2022 have written an open letter to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji praising him for his striking achievements since he came to power.
The councillors described him as “The Peoples’ Governor” They also called for their integration into his second term campaign bid.
This was contained in an open letter sent to Irohinodua on Tuesday.
The former councillors who expressed their gratitude for Oyebanji’ commitment to peace, progress, and security in the state have raised concerns over their exclusion from the recent Leaves Bonus announced for former elected and appointed ward representatives.
In the letter, the former councillors who described Oyebanji as the “People’s Governor” lauds his achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, and general welfare of the people of Ekiti State.
They commended his administration for placing Ekiti State on the global map and uplifting the collective honor of the state.
“We commend your remarkable achievements in the areas of Infrastructure, Education, Agriculture, Health, and the general welfare of the people of Ekiti State,” they wrote.
However, they expressed shock and concern that they were not included in the recent Leaves Bonus payment. “While we received this development with joy and good faith as a reassurance of your people-centered leadership, it came as a shock to us, upon confirmation, that Former Elected and Appointed Representatives of the 2020–2022 tenure were not captured in the approved payment of this entitlement,” they stated.
The former councilors humbly sought answers to their concerns, questioning whether Governor Oyebanji had forgotten them, especially considering that he was the Secretary to the State Government under the immediate past administration.
They also wondered why the Executive had not invited their leadership for consultation despite several letters and media presentations to the Governor’s office.
“We humbly seek answers to the following concerns: Has our Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), forgotten Former Political Representatives (2020–2022), especially considering that Your Excellency was then the Secretary to the State Government under the immediate past administration?” they asked.
The former councilors appealed to Governor Oyebanji to look into their welfare and extend his fatherly ordinance towards them.
“We appeal passionately to you and our respected political leaders to kindly look into our welfare and extend your fatherly ordinance towards us. This will not only rekindle our morale but also reaffirm our unwavering loyalty, commitment, and support to your leadership and to the progress of our great party,” they wrote.
They strongly believed that the Governor’s timely intervention in this matter would reassure them that they have not been neglected, but rather carried along in the spirit of fairness, inclusion, and continuity that his administration stands for.
“We strongly believe that your timely intervention in this matter will go a long way in reassuring us that we have not been neglected, but rather carried along in the spirit of fairness, inclusion, and continuity that your administration stands for,” they stated.
