A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oloyan, has appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to address the alleged non-payment of salaries to 17 kings and 440 chiefs in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
In a video circulating online, the monarch expressed frustration over the reported seven-month delay, saying the affected traditional rulers and chiefs were struggling financially.
“Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, we the kings are hungry. You’re starving us, the kings, and also the chiefs. Pay us our salaries; you’ve not paid us for seven months,” he said.
Oloyan further disclosed that none of the 17 kings or 440 chiefs in the local government had received their salaries during the period.
He also linked the alleged financial hardship to the difficulties some members of the traditional institution were experiencing, urging the state government to intervene.
“Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, the king is hungry. We have 17 kings and 440 chiefs, and none of them has received a salary for the past seven months. Imagine the votes that will come from each of them, yet they are the ones who are not being paid. And we are saying we have people dying; it is obviously because of the struggles they are going through,” he said.
When asked whether he would appeal to President Bola Tinubu to release funds meant for local governments, Oloyan said he believed the President had fulfilled his responsibility and should not be blamed for the situation.
“President Tinubu has done what he was supposed to do, and he loves the king because he is an Omoluabi, so he has nothing to do with this. Please, help us beg the Osun State Government, Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, to pay our salaries,” he added.
The traditional ruler called on the Osun State Government to look into the alleged arrears and ensure that the affected kings and chiefs receive their outstanding payments.
