Abia to Settle 22-Year Salary Arrears Owed Former Councillors
Last update: February 16, 2026
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The Abia State Government said the phased payment of 22-year salary arrears owed former councillors will begin before month's end.
The Abia State Government will begin payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to former local government councillors who served between 1999 and 2022.
Governor Alex Otti made the disclosure during a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors in Umuahia, stating that payments would commence before the end of the month and be made in batches.
He explained that when the matter was first brought to his attention, he was unaware of the complexities involved, including pending court cases and partial payments made under judicial orders. The governor said his administration was committed to resolving inherited challenges as part of its responsibility to ensure fairness and justice.
According to Otti, all categories of government workers, including civil servants and pensioners, deserve equal treatment and prompt payment of their entitlements. He commended the former councillors for withdrawing court cases related to the unpaid salaries, describing the move as a step toward reconciliation.
The governor directed the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzo Nwachukwu, to formalise the association’s structure.
In separate remarks, stakeholders including the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, praised the state government’s decision to address the long-standing issue.
CBI News reports that the association’s coordinator, Chief Tony Agbayim, expressed appreciation to the governor, describing the planned payments as a redemptive step after years of neglect by previous administrations.
