In a significant move, the Benue State House of Assembly has repealed the law that provided lifetime pensions and other benefits for former elected governors and their deputies. This decision comes shortly after the controversial pension bill was passed by the previous assembly, which extended benefits to ex-governors and their deputies dating back to 1999.
The controversial bill was passed just days before the end of the last assembly under the leadership of Titus Uba, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was the speaker at that time.
However, during a plenary session held on Monday, May 27, 2024, the current assembly overturned the bill, citing that it was not enacted in good faith. The lawmakers argued that the law was anti-people and expressed unanimous support for its repeal after thorough discussions.
Speaker of the House, Aondona Dajoh, endorsed the unanimous resolution to repeal the “Bill for a law to repeal provision for the maintenance of former elected governors of the state and their deputies and for other matters connected thereto 2024.”
The original bill had included provisions such as:
Monthly stipends as basic pensions for former governors and their deputies, equivalent to the current salaries of the serving governor and deputy governor, funded from the state’s consolidated revenue.
A maintenance allowance of N25,000,000 for former governors and N15,000,000 for former deputy governors every four years.
The procurement of two official SUVs for former governors and one official car for former deputy governors, along with the provision of personal staff including assistants, drivers, cleaners, and cooks.
Additional benefits such as security, yearly medical expenses, and replacement of vehicles every four years with new ones of the same quality and status.
The assembly’s decision to repeal the law was driven by the consensus that it was not in the best interest of the people of Benue State.
The legislators emphasized the need for laws that prioritize the welfare of the citizens rather than favoring a select few former officials.