SERAP Advises Tinubu To Stop Pension Of Former Govs Now Ministers, Threatens Legal Action

By Ayodele Oni

A Civil Society Organization, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reiterated that it is unconstitutional for former governors appointed as ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s government to be receiving pensions.

The organization has asked the president to publicly instruct former governors to stop collecting life pensions, exotic cars and other allowances from their states.

Former Ogun state Governor, Gbenga Daniel, on his assumption in senate, instructed Ogun state government to stop his pension.

SERAP said that Nigerians will judge President Tinubu in part by the conduct, integrity and honesty of the ministers that he appointed to work in his government.

SERAP in a statement on Sunday,  by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said that the exercise of the President’s power of appointment ought to reflect ethical and constitutional safeguards, requirements, and the fundamental principles of integrity and honesty.

Former governors appointed as ministers in the Tinubu-led administration, are Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa); David Umahi (Ebonyi), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun).

The organisation stressed that the appointment of former governors who collect life pensions while serving as ministers is implicitly forbidden by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international legal obligations.

SERAP further said that stopping the former governors from collecting double emoluments would be entirely consistent with the proper exercise of the president’s constitutional power to appoint ministers.

“Stopping the former governors from collecting life pensions would ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are used for the common good and benefit of the socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians rather than to satisfy the opulent lifestyle of a few politicians.

“States currently implementing life pensions for former governors included Jigawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Yobe, and Rivers. Many of the states owe workers’ salaries and remain the poorest in the country.

“Several of the pension laws in the mentioned states include provisions for six cars every three years, a house in Lagos worth N750 million, and another in Abuja worth N1 billion, unrestricted access to medical attention, and pensionable cooks, stewards, and gardeners.

“Others include the provisions of 100 per cent annual salaries of the incumbent governor, security operatives and police officers permanently assigned to former governors.

“President Tinubu would be acting in the public interest by stopping the former governors now serving as ministers in his government from collecting life pensions, especially given the current grave economic realities in the country.

“If the ministers that the president appoints are those who collect life pensions rather than serve the public interest, then that may show little about the conduct and integrity of the ministers, but speak volumes about the exercise of presidential power of appointment.

“While many pensioners are not paid their pensions, former governors serving as ministers get paid huge severance benefits upon leaving office, and are poised to enjoy double emoluments on top of the opulence of political office holders.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Instructing the former governors now serving as ministers in your government to stop collecting life pensions from their states would also improve public confidence in the integrity and honesty of your government.

“Constitutional oath of office requires public officials to abstain from all improper acts, including collecting life pensions that are inconsistent with the public trust and the overall objectives of the Constitution.

“A false oath lacks truth and justice. The oath statements require the oath takers to commit to uphold and defend the Constitution.