On Tuesday, the Abia State House of Assembly approved a bill aimed at discontinuing the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.
Titled “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith,” the legislation was sponsored by Mr. Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency.
Following its first and second reading, as well as consideration at the committee of the whole and its third reading during the day’s plenary, the Speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the bill’s passage.
Emeruwa, in extending congratulations to the members, expressed that the bill would curtail the state’s governance expenditures and channel resources towards developmental initiatives.
He further noted that upon the governor’s assent, the bill would be designated as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”
The speaker declared that the bill would come into effect immediately, starting from Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bill stipulates that former governors and their deputies will no longer receive pension benefits once their terms end.
NAN also highlights that controversies have arisen over the years regarding the extravagant lifetime perks and other desirable benefits provided to governors and their deputies. While some states have taken steps to abolish these laws, many others have displayed indifference towards such actions.
