Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the disbursement of another N2 billion to the former chairmen of local government areas in the state who were sacked in May 2019.
The former council bosses, who were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018, have been in dispute with the state government over the payment of their entitlements, previously urging the governor to settle their dues in full.
Governor Makinde revealed the release of the N2 billion during a speech in Ogbomoso at the burial and thanksgiving service for Mama Ruth Adenihun Dare, mother of former Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare.
Makinde, addressing the gathering, emphasized the need for political tolerance, highlighting his attendance at the event hosted by an APC chieftain as an example of non-partisan cooperation.
He explained, “When I took over as governor in 2019, I decided to sack all the local government chairmen because we felt their election was unconstitutional.
As a result, they also took me to court for government to pay their entitlements. We dragged the matter up to the Supreme Court level.
But, on Friday, I paid N2 billion out of the debt. So, we are no longer fighting.”
The governor’s actions reflect a broader call for peaceful coexistence despite political differences, underscoring the need for collaboration beyond party lines for the greater good.
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