Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Immediate-past elected Councillors in Abia State, have written to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, demanding payment of their severance package, sitting and constituency allowances before the expiration of his tenure on May 29.
The ex-lawmakers also demanded payment of their swearing-in allowance, wardrobe allowance, car/transport allowance, and furniture allowance.
These were contained in their open letter to the Governor made available to newsmen on Thursday.
The former elected Councillors whose tenure expired in December 2022, said their counterparts in other states enjoyed similar entitlements.
According to the letter signed by their immediate-past Secretary, Hon. Sam Charles Okeke, their resolve to resort to writing open letter was not to embarrass the Governor but a last resort as every effort made to get the attention of the Governor had failed.
They pleaded with the Governor to be considerate over their plight, saying that life has not been easy on them.
The letter made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “Sir, approving and directing the payment of these entitlements to us will enable us pay off our bills incurred during our swearing-in and during the course of our constitutional functions, seeing that it is our constitutional right as replicated in other states.
“It is With pains in our heart ,that we are prompted to make it an open letter as our last resort having exhausted all democratic avenues to press for the payment of our entitlements, all to no avail.
“This open letter sir, is not meant to embarrass you but to draw your attention to see the need to pay us our entitlements,” they said.
The former Councilors pledged their continued loyalty and support to the Ikpeazu-led Government, while commending him for some of the achievements recorded under his watch.
They also urged support and prayers for the Governor to finish strong.
