A former governor of Ogun State and the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Daniel, has explained why he asked the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, to suspend the monthly pension due him as an ex-governor.
The senator who served as a governor of the state from 2003 to 2011 was inaugurated into the 10th National Assembly on the 13th of June 2023.
According to a copy of the letter obtained by The New Diplomat, dated 14th June and addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the former governor said he made the request in compliance with his conscience, moral principles and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from his state.
The letter addressed to Governor Abiodun reads: “I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State.
“This request is in compliance with my conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.
“It would be recalled that on Tuesday 13th June 2023, I was, with other elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, inaugurated as members of the 10th National Assembly.
“It is pertinent to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefitted from any welfare packages be it medical, furniture, transportation etc. Thanks in anticipation.”
It would be recalled that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on 18th June, urged the President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and 13 former governors now serving in the red chamber to disclose the total amount of life pensions they have received from their states as former governors.
In the letter dated 18 June 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your constitutional oath of office, under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) requires you to publicly reject and return any pensions.”
SERAP said, “Collecting life pensions as former governors while in the Senate would clearly violate constitutional provisions and amount to taking advantage of entrusted public positions.”
“Ending the practice of former governors in the Senate collecting life pensions from their states would improve public confidence in the integrity and honesty of the National Assembly. It would show that the Senate can focus on serving the public interest rather than looking after themselves.”
“We urge you to emulate former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki who stopped collecting life pension as a former governor of Kwara State and described life pensions by former governors as “immoral”, following a request by SERAP.”
