Former Delta State Assembly Aides Threaten Legal Action Over Unpaid Allowances

ASABA/Nigeria: Former aides to members of the Delta State House of Assembly, comprising politicians and professionals, have threatened to initiate legal proceedings if their long-overdue furniture and severance allowances are not paid.

The Forum of Past Political Aides of the 5th, 6th, and 7th Assembly, through their Effurun-based legal counsel D.O. Jarikre & Associates, addressed a letter to Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Thursday, June 6, 2024, on the decision of the Forum. This letter, seen by this publication, indicated that despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue amicably, no progress has been made.

The letter, signed by E. Atowo, ESQ, highlighted the results of the forum’s investigation, which confirmed that members who served in the 5th Assembly did not receive their furniture allowances. Furthermore, aides from the 5th, 6th, and 7th Assemblies have not been paid their severance allowances.

“Our clients have informed us, and presented several documents which we believe to be true, that they are the current Executive of the Forum of Past Political Aides of the 5th, 6th, and 7th Assembly, Delta State House of Assembly,” the letter states. “The Forum consists of politicians and professionals who served the Delta State Government diligently, providing support services to members of the aforementioned Assemblies.”

The letter continues, “During their service period, our clients were political aides to Assembly members. Despite their dedicated service, they have not received several benefits and allowances due to them. Specifically, aides of the 5th Assembly have not been paid their furniture allowances, and those from the 5th, 6th, and 7th Assemblies are still owed their severance benefits.”

The legal firm detailed the efforts made by the forum to secure these payments, referencing various letters sent to concerned offices from July 28, 2022, up to the latest communication with Governor Oborevwori, who served as Speaker from the end of the 5th Assembly to the end of the 7th Assembly.

“Our clients have written several letters appealing to the Delta State Government and relevant organs responsible for the payment of these entitlements. To date, they have not received any payments,” the letter states. It also mentions that in one of the letters, the Governor’s Chief of Staff advised the forum to route their request through the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, who was also a member of the 6th Assembly. Despite this, there has been no response, even after a follow-up reminder on April 23, 2024.

Given the continued lack of response, the forum’s legal team is now prepared to take formal legal action against the Delta State Government and the Delta State House of Assembly if the allowances are not paid within 30 days from the date of the last letter, June 6, 2024.

“Your Excellency, our clients have patiently explored all avenues to settle this matter amicably,” the letter asserts. “We are now constrained to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding allowances. If there is further default, our clients will have no option but to initiate legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction against your esteemed office and other organs of the Delta State Government for breach of contract and other reliefs.”

The aides’ appointment letters entitle them to 300 percent of their Annual Basic Salary for furniture and severance gratuity, payable upon successful completion of tenure or on a pro-rata basis after two years of service.

It is noteworthy that Governor Oborevwori, recently praised by former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for his prudent management of resources as Speaker, is now facing this controversy. Dr. Jonathan commended Oborevwori, saying, “It is not easy for a public officer or even a civil servant to refund money to the government; it is extremely difficult.”

“But as a Speaker, you were able to do that, which shows that you are a person of high integrity and can be trusted. Please continue to manage the state’s resources in that manner and use the money in a way that will positively affect the people.” Dr. Jonathan had highlighted Oborevwori’s ability to remit over N500,000,000.00 in unspent funds to the state treasury.”