The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) argued in a letter to President Tinubu that it was unethical for former governors now ministers in his administration to continue receiving life pensions, expensive cars, and other benefits from states.
In a letter sent on Saturday, SERAP recommended to President Tinubu that intervening to stop the practice was in the public’s best interests.
“While many pensioners are not paid their pensions, former governors serving as ministers get paid huge severance benefits upon leaving office and are poised to enjoy double emoluments on top of the opulence of political office holders,” the letter read.
President Tinubu appointed eight former governors to ministerial positions: Nyesom Wike, Bello Matawalle, Simon Lalong, Atiku Bagadu, Badaru Abubakar, Adegboyega Oyetola, David Umahi, and Ibrahim Geidam.
According to SERAP, banning governors from receiving life pensions would ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are utilised for the common good and the benefit of Nigerians who are socially and economically weak.
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SERAP contended that many of the governors, now ministers, would get life pensions at the expense of civil servants’ salaries and those in need in society who may benefit from poverty-relief programmes funded by the money.
“Several of the pension laws in these states include provisions for six cars every three years, a house in Lagos worth N750 million, and another in Abuja worth N1 billion, unrestricted access to medical attention, and pensionable cooks, stewards, and gardeners.
“Other provisions 100 per cent annual salaries of the incumbent governor, security operatives and police officers permanently assigned to former governors.”
SERAP went on to say that the practice of providing life pensions to governors should be abolished. The practice was also “entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption,” according to the organisation.
They issued a warning that if the federal government fails to respond to their letter within seven days, they would not hesitate to initiate proceedings against the government.
