By Ken Afor
Mr. Femi Falana, a renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has urged state governments to abolish the payment of pensions to former governors.
In a statement provided to journalists, Falana specifically highlighted that the pension laws in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States are the “most scandalous” in the country.
The distinguished lawyer expressed concern that some state governors, by approving substantial pension payments and benefits for themselves, have neglected their responsibility of disbursing pensions and gratuities to former employees during their tenure.
He emphasized that Nigeria should not continue affording extravagant pensions for ex-governors while workers are left with meager pension arrears.
He said, “Many state governors voted themselves humongous pension payments and allowances. Many of the same governors actually chose not to pay the pensions and gratuities for their former workers whilst they were in office. Not less than 20 of them are in the Senate where they also receive jumbo salaries and allowances.
“Lagos was the first state to implement a pension law for its former governors. The Lagos State Pension for Ex-Governors was enacted in 2007. Since then, majority of States adopted the Lagos model. But the pension laws for Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States are the most scandalous.”
Falana’s assertion is supported by the cases of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) v Attorney-General of the Federation (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1497/2017) and Alhaji Garba Umar v Taraba State Government (Suit No: NICN/JOS/26/2016). In both instances, the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court invalidated the provisions of pension and gratuity for former governors and deputy governors, aligning with Falana’s stance.
He added that “In 2022, the Lagos State Government announced the 50 percent reduction in the pension. Senators Daniel and Dankwambo have directed the Governments of Ogun and Gombe to stop paying them the pension since they are receiving salaries and allowances in the National Assembly.
“The Governments of Kwara, Imo and Zamfara States have abolished the payment of the pension. We call on other state Governments to abolish the pension as soon as possible. Nigeria can no longer afford to pay scandalous pension to ex-governors while workers are owed arrears of meagre pensions. Therefore, the pension laws applicable to other public officers should also apply to all ex-governors.”
It would be recalled that a few days ago, there was widespread public concern among Nigerians after Babatunde Fashola, a former Minister of Works and Housing and ex-Governor of Lagos State, clarified that his only financial remuneration from the government is a monthly pension of N577,000, received in his capacity as a former governor of Lagos State.
He said, “The benefit I get, I think, is a N577,000 monthly pension from Lagos State. That’s all I get.
“So, in spite of all the stories that we got several billions of money (after leaving office), I’ve come out to deny that repeatedly. I don’t know how long it lasts, but I only know that I get N577,000 per month consistently.”
