Tinubu,Amaechi,And three other Govs collecting outrageous pension

The former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari was outed recently when the letter he wrote to the current governor of the state, Bello Muhammad Matawalle was made public. In it, Yari had demanded payment of his outstanding allowances and pension, which was N10 million monthly, among other benefits.

The former governor stated that his pension and allowances ‘’are not in the category of privileges that can be truncated without any justifiable reason, hence, the need to request you to kindly direct the settlement of the total backlog of the pension and upkeep as provided by the law.”

The letter caused a huge outcry with people condemning the former governor for being insensitive, wanting to collect such a huge sum in a state that could barely pay the pension of former civil servants. It also led the Zamfara State House of Assembly to amend the laws granting the former governor such emoluments even after leaving the office.

But Yari is just one of several former governors that are entitled to outrageous pension schemes passed when they were still in charge of their states. Here are the 5 worst cases.

1.     Tinubu (Lagos)

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state, was one of the first state governors to sign an outrageous pension offering himself mouth-watering benefits and allowances for life. The Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor Pensions Law was signed in 20027 on the eve of Tinubu leaving the office.

The law provides that former governors and deputy governors are entitled to the same salary as the incumbent occupants of their respective offices. The former governor is also entitled to five executive cars to be replaced every 5yrs as well as two houses - one in Abuja and another in Lagos. It also includes an excellent healthcare plan and payment of the salaries and allowances of their aides.

2.     Amaechi (Rivers)

The Rivers State pension for former governors and their deputies signed by Rotimi Amachi, a former governor of the state in 2012, was as outrageous as the one masterminded by Tinubu in Lagos.

The Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor Pensions and Fringe Benefits Law of 2012 made provision for former governors to enjoy:

·       100 per cent of their basic salaries

·       Two choice houses in any area of their choice in Rivers State and Abuja.

·       Three cars, replaceable every three years.

·       300 percent funding for any furniture of their choice.

·       20 per cent funding for utility, 10 per cent funding for entertainment and 10 per cent of same for houses of their choice.

·       Free medical expenses for him and his immediate family.

·       Security details that will include two officials of the State Security Service (SSS), one female officer of the same department and eight police officers for personal and domestic security.

·       Domestic staff including a cook, steward, gardener, and others. All the domestic staff, including drivers shall be pensionable.

3.     Saraki (Kwara)

The Pension Law which Bukola Saraki, the former governor Kwara State, approved for himself and deputy just before his tenure expired is very similar to that of Lagos State in its obscenity. It approved that the former governor is entitled to 100 percent of the salary of the incumbent, including choice vehicles that should be replaced every three years. It also provides for a furnished duplex in Kwara as well as other largesse. The law was however amended in 2018 when Saraki was the Senate President to exclude former governors and their deputies whenever they hold political offices. Since he is out of office now, the former governor is entitled to his obscene pension.

4.     Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe)

The Vanguard newspaper reports that: ‘’The version of the Yobe State pension law, signed into law in early 2007 by former governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim gives former governors pension for life. The former governor/ deputy receive 200 million and 150 million respectively, two vehicles replaceable every four years, two drivers, free medical for the former governors/ deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad. Senator Abba Ibrahim who served three different times as governor of the state is the only one enjoying the entitlement being the only former governor alive. The only other person to have shared the governor’s office with him is the late Senator Mamman Ali who died in office and the incumbent.’’

5.     Goje (Gombe)

Even a relatively poor state such as Gombe has an outrageous pension scheme, which was masterminded by a former governor Muhammed Danjuma Goje in 2008. The goodies embedded in the Gombe State pension for former governors include a N200 million severance pay, free medical treatment for a former governor and his immediate family for life, 30-day annual vacation outside the country, furnished and befitting accommodation in any part of the state, among other huge benefits.

With the humungous pension schemes, many ex-governors authorized for themselves when they led their states, it is no wonder why the states are struggling and unable to pay the new minimum wage.