Kwara to ban Saraki, other former governors from receiving pension
Saraki was reportedly receiving governor's pension while serving as Senate President.
Kwara State will repeal a law that awards pension to former governors and their deputies, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has said.
The announcement follows a similar move by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to “reduce government wastage”.
The move will be welcomed in a Nigeria plagued by a den of politicians who keep recycling themselves in public office and keep receiving pensions from every previous position held.
In 2011, the Kwara State House of Assembly passed a bill to pay pensions to former governors and their deputies. Kwara government spokesperson Rafiu Ajakaye now says Governor Abdulrazaq will move to have the law repealed.
Former governors Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed and their deputies will be affected. Saraki was reportedly receiving governor’s pension while serving as Senate President.
Ajakaye said in a statement on Friday:
“Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will next week send a bill to the State House of Assembly requesting the lawmakers to immediately repeal the law awarding pension packages to former governors and former deputy governors.
“The Governor has listened to voices of the majority of the citizens opposing the pension law for former governors and deputy governors. In line with his campaign mantra and as a product of democracy himself, he will be sending a bill to the House of Assembly next week requesting them to repeal the law.
“As representatives of the people, the lawmakers would exercise their discretion to call a public hearing on the topic to further harvest wider opinions on the topic.
“However, the Governor feels it is time for the law as it is to give way. He would rather commit scarce public funds to tackle the question of poverty and youth unemployment.”
