Councillors and other political office holders from the 25 local government councils in Niger State on Monday protested over the failure of Gov. Babangida Aliyu to settle their severance allowance amounting to N1.74 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 499 protesters, including vice chairmen, supervisory councillors and secretaries, besieged the state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs in Minna, demanding the payment.
Yahaya Shehu, the Chairman of the Councillors Forum in the state, who led the protesters, told newsmen that they took the option after the prolonged communication with the government on the matter had yielded no result.
“We are 274 councillors, 175 supervising councillors, 25 vice chairmen and 25 secretaries that are being owed.
“We were compelled to call an emergency meeting on 27th April 2015 over the balance of our severance and furniture allowances after many write-ups and appeals.
“We have written several letters and paid several courtesy calls on the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, the Secretary to the State Government, Speaker of Niger state House of Assembly and the Leadership of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.
”All we received are deceitful assurances and promises, and the total amount owed each of us is N3. 5 million”, he said.
NAN reports that the two Permanent Secretaries for the ministry, Musa Ija and Mamman Rijau, declined comment on the matter, saying that it was only the commissioner, Garba Tagwai, who has the authority to speak to the media. (NAN)