BY MUMINI ABDULKAREEM
It is no longer news that a Bill seeking the suspension of payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in Kwara State during any period they hold public office has been passed into law by the state House of Assembly, however not many people are aware the development was influenced by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
The passage of the Bill into law was preceded by consideration of a report by the House earlier presented by the Chairman House Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Hon. Emmanuel Folorunsho Abodunrin.
The Deputy Speaker, Elder Matthew Okedare, who presided over Tuesday’s sitting, praised members for ensuring prompt passage of the bill, sponsored by a member representing Omupo Constituency, Hon Moshood Bakare and directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Katsina Mohammed to prepare a clean copy for the Governor’s assent.
Under the amended law, former governor or deputy governor will cease to enjoy pension any period they hold a political or public office.
However, the law will not be applicable where the person holds a political or public office but does not receive any remuneration on account of holding such office.
Giving a hint on the role he played on the development, the Senate President who was the former governor of Kwara State, through his twitter handle @bukolasaraki, said; “I am happy that following my conversation with Kwara Speaker, Hon Ali Ahmad, two months ago, the Bill to suspend the payment of Pension to former governors and their deputies when they hold a political or public office was passed into law, yesterday by the Kwara House of Assembly.
…urges other legislatures to do same
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has called on house of assemblies to take a cue from Kwara and pass their own versions of the bill suspending payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors.
In a statement on Wednesday, Saraki commended Ali Ahmad, speaker of the assembly, for working to pass the bill.
He noted how he influenced the action of the lawmakers, adding that; “Moving forward, it is my hope that other state assemblies take a cue from Kwara State and pass similar pieces of legislation into law.”
Saraki, who governed Kwara between 2003 and 2011, was criticised for collecting pension from the state government.
Last year, the Senate President said he had written a letter to the government to stop paying him pension.
“I’m not collecting pension; the moment I saw that allegation, I wrote to my state to stop my pension,” he had said in an interview.
“So, I speak for myself on that part; I’m not doing that, I am not receiving pension from my state.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had asked Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, to take legal action against former governors, who are now either senators or ministers so as to recover an alleged N40billion earned in double payment.
SERAP listed Rabiu Kwankwaso, Godswill Akpabio, Theodore Orji, Abdullahi Adamu, Sam Egwu, Shaaba Lafiagi, among former governors receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states.
Others named are Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Sani Yarima, Danjuma Goje, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Adamu Aliero, George Akume, Biodun Olujimi, Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Chris Ngige and Babatunde Fashola.
…Nigerians applaud Senate President
Nigerians have continued to appreciate the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for the huge role he played in ensuring the Kwara State House of Assembly passed a Bill seeking the suspension of payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in the state during any period they hold public office.
The passage of the Bill into law on Tuesday was preceded by consideration of a report by the House earlier presented by the Chairman House Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Hon. Emmanuel Folorunsho Abodunrin.
Most of the respondents on social media applauded Saraki for his contributions in making the Bill a reality and appealed to other states Assemblies and National Assembly to follow suit.
According to a social media user; Tunde Babamale@babastundey; “ This is a commendable move and I urge Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tunde Fashola and other state Assemblies to follow the suit and pass the same law in their respective states.”
Another respondent, Jude Ekwedike @jekwedike called for replication of such Bill at the Federal level so that states have no choice but to comply.
In his reaction, one FORESTER @Adeolaadeniyi31 said, “Thank you bro, you’ve simply suggested a way out, and kudos to @bukola saraki but sir, Nigerians are like Oliver Twist, more are expected from the Red Chamber on this very issue of end to ex-governors’ pensions.”
Similarly, Gold Muyideen, @GoldMuyideen tweeted, “That is a giant step leader, other states will certainly take cue from us. Well done sir.”
