By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has expressed his intention to repeal the law that mandates the state to pay pensions to former Governors and Deputy Governors.
Earlier this week, his counterpart in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while presenting the 2021 budget estimate to the Lagos State House of Assembly, disclosed that he was sending an executive bill to abolish payment of emoluments to former public servants in the metropolis.
According to Mr Sanwo-Olu, the action was to reduce the cost of government, especially at a time the state and the nation were finding it difficult to generate revenue as a result of COVID-19 and a decline in the price of crude oil.
This action was applauded by the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr bola Tinubu, who is one of the beneficiaries of the law itself, having governed the state for eight years from 1999 to 2007.
About three days after the Lagos State Governor made the move, Mr AbdulRazaq, through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday, said he 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,” a statement from Mr Ajakaye said.
He said further that, “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 the state commits the scarce public funds to tackle the question of poverty and youth unemployment,” the statement concluded.
If the law is repealed, those that will be affected include former Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki; the immediate past Governor of the state, Mr Abdulfatah Ahmed; amongst others.
Adedapo Adesanya