By Uche Mbah
The Zamfara state House of Assembly Tuesday nullified a law that made it compulsory for former governors and their deputies to receive pension and allowances when they leave office in a move that is as surprising as it is revolutionary.
There has been the practice of governors and their deputies whose terms have expired to negotiate for a pension of upwards of N10 million per month. Many of them still end up in the senate and continue to receive more humongous allowances. This has been a source of criticism as many see the national Assembly as their retirement home.
But Zamfara state, in a revolutionary decision, has swiftly abolished the practice.
Speaking to Pressmen after the bill has been passed, the spokesperson for the Speaker of the state house of assembly, Mustapha Jafaru, said that the bill will also affect past speakers and their deputies.
The uproar had started when former governor, Abdulazeez Yari complained that the state government is owing him arrears his N10 million monthly allowance. This is happening in a state the government is finding it difficult to pay salaries.
Yari’s letter was followed two days later with a reminder to the incumbent governor to pay up.
House leader Faruk Dosara, (PDP Maradun), had presented the bill insisting on complete repeal of the law “which provides the jamboree payment for the former political leaders of the state at the detriment of the retired civil servants who have not been paid their entitlements over the years.” Past leaders “are collecting over N700 million annually” which, according to him, the present economy of the state cannot sustain.
The bill has passed all three readings under the supervision of the Speaker, Nasiru Magarya and will be sent to the governor for assent.
With this development, all past political leaders in Zamfara will longer enjoy any entitlements unless those prescribed by the national revenue mobilization allocation and fiscal commission,” Mr Jafaru said.
